Survey: Swiss scoff triple the recommended amount of meat
The Local - [email protected]
Published: 16 Mar, 2017 CET.
Updated: Thu 16 Mar 2017 10:50 CET
The Swiss eat too much meat but not enough milk, according to a national survey.
The menuCH survey, carried out by the University of Lausanne but commissioned by the Swiss Public Health Office (BAG) and Food Safety Office (BLV), interviewed 2,000 adults across Switzerland about their eating habits.
Some results were released last November and showed that the Swiss eat too few fruits and vegetables, and that 44 percent of the population are overweight.
And now the survey authors have revealed that country has an unhealthy penchant for meat.
According to the survey each Swiss eats on average 780 grams of meat a week, over three times higher than the 240 grams recommended by the BLV.
Swiss men are particularly guilty, scoffing 980 grams of meat a week compared with only 570 grams for women.
That’s despite the fact that 77 percent said they were aware of the BLV’s recommendations.
The Swiss also eat four times the recommended level of sugary and salty snacks and fatty foodstuffs including butter, cream and sauces, found the survey.
In contrast, their consumption of milk and milk products is below recommendations.
The survey also questioned people on their eating habits and found that, in keeping with the widespread Swiss custom, 71 percent of people regularly eat away from home at midday.
An average of 35 percent said they never cook their own lunch, though that went up to 45 percent for men.
The menuCH survey, the first of its kind in Switzerland, also quizzed participants about exercise and found that in general, the Swiss are a pretty active bunch.
Some 87 percent of those questioned said they exercise “sufficiently” to meet national recommendations, said BAG in a separate release.
Men work out more than women, with 28 percent of men saying they exercise at least three days a week compared with 22 percent of women.
The results of the survey will be used to develop a national nutrition strategy 2017-2024, said the BLV, in an attempt to “correct” food habits in Switzerland.
Comments
See Also
The menuCH survey, carried out by the University of Lausanne but commissioned by the Swiss Public Health Office (BAG) and Food Safety Office (BLV), interviewed 2,000 adults across Switzerland about their eating habits.
Some results were released last November and showed that the Swiss eat too few fruits and vegetables, and that 44 percent of the population are overweight.
And now the survey authors have revealed that country has an unhealthy penchant for meat.
According to the survey each Swiss eats on average 780 grams of meat a week, over three times higher than the 240 grams recommended by the BLV.
Swiss men are particularly guilty, scoffing 980 grams of meat a week compared with only 570 grams for women.
That’s despite the fact that 77 percent said they were aware of the BLV’s recommendations.
The Swiss also eat four times the recommended level of sugary and salty snacks and fatty foodstuffs including butter, cream and sauces, found the survey.
In contrast, their consumption of milk and milk products is below recommendations.
The survey also questioned people on their eating habits and found that, in keeping with the widespread Swiss custom, 71 percent of people regularly eat away from home at midday.
An average of 35 percent said they never cook their own lunch, though that went up to 45 percent for men.
The menuCH survey, the first of its kind in Switzerland, also quizzed participants about exercise and found that in general, the Swiss are a pretty active bunch.
Some 87 percent of those questioned said they exercise “sufficiently” to meet national recommendations, said BAG in a separate release.
Men work out more than women, with 28 percent of men saying they exercise at least three days a week compared with 22 percent of women.
The results of the survey will be used to develop a national nutrition strategy 2017-2024, said the BLV, in an attempt to “correct” food habits in Switzerland.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.