Every five years or so, health science institute Sciensano carries out a major survey on the health and lifestyle of Belgians. In this way, longer-term evolutions can be mapped out. In the results published today, Sciensano sees a number of positive trends.
Among them is progress on use of tobacco. The decline in the number of daily smokers continues: from 15.4 per cent at the time of the previous survey in 2018 to 12.8 per cent now. Of those daily smokers, more than 1 in 3 say they want to quit in the coming year.
At the same time, e-cigarette use is on the rise. 6 per cent of the population vapes, up from 4 per cent in 2018. The biggest increase is in the group of 15- to 24-year-olds. Interestingly, over 40 per cent say they mostly use disposable vapes. This is no longer possible now, as they were recently banned in Belgium.
E-cigarette use carries fewer health risks than traditional smoking, the report says, but risks do exist. Due to addictive nicotine and to substances in the vapour that have been linked to cancer.
Fewer daily drinkers (but use remains high)
As for alcohol, the number of people drinking every day fell to 7.7 per cent (9.7 per cent in 2018). In general alcohol consumption, the decline is less pronounced. The effect is mitigated by people who do not drink every day but consume more alcohol on the days they do drink.
There is a clear difference between men and women: men drink more often and more.
Another striking figure: almost 1 in 5 have already experienced problems related to their alcohol consumption, for 1 in 10 it was in the last 12 months.
The High Council for Health recently released new advice. It states that the best thing for your health is not to drink alcohol at all, because of the many health risks and serious social consequences. If you do drink, don’t do it every day and limit yourself to a maximum of 10 standard glasses per week, Sciensano also says.
More Belgians meet exercise guideline
The number of adults engaging in sufficient leisure-time physical activity according to World Health Organisation guidelines rose to 34.9 per cent by 2023-24. In 2018, the figure was 30.1 per cent. In this regard, men, young adults and people with higher levels of education score best.
The number of people cycling to work at least one day a week rose to 33.6 per cent (29.3 per cent in 2018).
In contrast, the number of people who are overweight (a BMI of 25 or higher) or obese (a BMI of 30 or higher) continues to rise slightly. Just under half of all Belgians are overweight and 17 per cent are obese. The figures are highest among the elderly.
As for healthy eating, the figures are in line with the previous survey: the number of people eating fruit and 2 portions of vegetables daily has remained constant. Fewer people drink sugared soft drinks daily but more eat sweet or salty snacks daily.
We watch a lot of screens
New in the survey is the screen use of Belgians in their leisure time. This is very high, Sciensano concludes. 7 in 10 Belgians over 15 watch at least 2 hours of TV or video every day. Watching TV or video increases with age. Younger people use more social media, which in turn decreases with age.
More positive elements
Finally, there are some positive figures on screening and vaccination:
Belgium now meets international standards for colon cancer screening at 64.5 per cent.
More people from risk groups got vaccinated against flu last season.
Pneumococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates rose sharply.
Methodology
This is Sciensano’s 7th broad health survey. 10,700 citizens from different regions were surveyed in 2023 and last year, according to Sciensano “sufficient for efficient estimates at both the national and regional levels”. Participants were at least 15 years old.
