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On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out a new study by Snuff Store which revealed that Sweden is the healthiest country in Europe, and what they’re doing right!
Getting healthy in the new year is a pretty standard goal, whether you’re into new years resolutions or not! The decadence and, let’s be honest, laziness of Christmas means most of us are feeling a bit bloated, a bit gross, and in need to a shake up to our bodies.
So, if we’re going to get healthy, why not take inspiration from the healthiest countries in Europe? What are they doing that gives them the healthiest lifestyles?
The Healthiest Countries In Europe
Research by Snuff Store analysed multiple factors, including:
- Percentage of the population that smoke
- Obesity rate
- Life expectancy
- Litres of alcohol drunk per year, per capita
- Percentage of the population reporting chronic depression
- Number of doctors per 1,000 people
- Percentage of the population that are inefficiently physically active when compared to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended level of activity.
Each country received a score out of ten for each factor, which was added up to generate a health index score. The country is healthier the higher the score.
1. Sweden – Health index – 48.53
Sweden has the highest for quality of life but, according to the data, it’s also one of the healthiest countries. With the lowest number of smokers in the whole of Europe, Sweden has one of the lowst obesity rates, and the second-highest life expectancy at 83. Low obesity rates can be attributed to the low levels of physical inactivity, and the fact that in Sweden they drink less alcohol than most of Europe.
2. Finland – Health index – 47.37
Finland has very low rates of smoking, with less than 10% of the population smoking. Finland, like its Scandinavian neighbors, has a long life expectancy and low obesity rates. According to the World Health Organization, only 16% of the Finnish population is insufficiently active, making them one of the most physically active nations.
3. Moldova – Health index – 45.40
Moldova ranks third in terms of health. This is because it has the second lowest rate of obesity in Europe. The WHO estimates that the proportion of the population that is insufficiently active is the lowest in Europe, which could account for these low levels.
4. Belarus – Health index – 45.11
Belarus has one of the lowest rates of inactivity, and the country has over 23,000 sports facilities, or 2.5 for every 1,000 people, so it’s clear that there is plenty of activity for everyone to do. They additionally have five doctors for each 1,000 individuals, which is better than expected. Belarusians do drink and smoke more than anyone else; nonetheless, it actually has a below average obestity rate and low degrees of depression.
5. Norway – Health index – 44.35
Norway has one of the lowest smoking rates in Europe at 10%, despite having the highest rate among Scandinavian nations. Additionally, Norwegians consume less alcohol than the majority of other nations and have a 23% obesity rate, which is lower than the national average. Because of these factors, Norway ranks among Europe’s healthiest nations.
6. Iceland – Health index – 44.29
With only 7.5% of the population classified as being smokers, Iceland has the second lowest percentage of smokers in Europe. In addition, Iceland has a high life expectancy of 82 years and adopts healthier lifestyle choices, including a lower alcohol consumption rate.
7. Switzerland – Health index – 43.77
Switzerland has the highest life expectancy, at 84 years, and the third lowest obesity rate in Europe. The Swiss likewise report lower levels of depression and have more than average doctors for every 1,000 individuals.
8. France – Health index – 43.63
France has the highest number of doctors per 1,000 people in Europe and a 21% obesity rate. Compared to the rest of Europe, only 17% of people smoke, which places it in the top 10 but is still lower than average.
9. Belgium – Health index – 43.19
Belgium ranks ninth in Europe in terms of health. This is because it has lower than average depression rates, a long life expectancy, and low rates of smoking. Additionally, the healthcare system in Belgium is excellent, with six doctors for every 1,000 people.
10. United Kingdom – Health index – 42.96
The UK is the tenth healthiest country in Europe. Smoking rates in the UK are 15% which is lower than much of Europe, however, the UK has a higher obesity rate at 27%, this could be due to the higher percentage of the population who are insufficiently active. Despite this life expectancy is 82 years which is one of the highest.
What Can We Learn?
“The focus on health and lifestyle has been at the forefront of conversation for a while now, as much of the continent has seen obesity rates rising as people become less active and taking up unhealthy habits. It’s clear to see that in healthier nations there is more activity, less smoking and drinking and thus, in most cases, lower levels of depression,” explained a spokesperson from Snuff Store
“In Scandinavia, the low levels of smoking can be partly put down to the availability of smokeless nicotine products that have helped bring smoking levels down and thus medical issues associated with cigarettes. Europe has an average obesity rate of 22% which is much below the global average, which is calculated at 39% of people being obese or overweight.
Overall Europe has some clear health indicators that give insight into the consistent work that governments are doing to create healthier nations. However, there is still plenty of action that people can take to increase their personal health and live longer and better lives”
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