The survey contains a wealth of data on lifestyle behaviours of the Irish adult population including smoking, alcohol consumption, mental health, diet and physical activity. Some of the key facts to emerge are:
- Half the population recorded self-rated health as ‘excellent’ or very ‘good’ and that this has increased since the last SLÁN survey in 2002. Similarly, there is a reported increase in the number of respondents who described their quality of life as good or very good.
- There was a decrease from 2002 to 2007 in the percentage of respondents who reported consuming 6 or more standard drinks (‘risky drinking’) at least once a week.
- Overall, 65% reported consuming the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. One third either always or usually added salt to food at the table. Half reported snacking between meals, most commonly on biscuits and cakes.
- 29% of the population smoked, with higher rates amongst young people. Almost half of both male and female smokers reported attempting to quit within the previous 12 months; younger smokers were more likely to report attempting to quit.
- Younger men reported higher levels of physical activity, reducing with increasing age. This contrasts with the relatively low level of physical activity in women across all age groups. Of concern was the fact that respondents who reported that they were physically inactive gave their main reason as 'no time'.
- Over half of respondents (55%) reported being involved in community activities, compared to 59% in 2002.
- The results that emerged from the physical examination of the population sample over 45 years of age point to the prevalence of raised cholesterol and high blood pressure in this population group. In relation to body weight, 39% of those examined (ages 18+) were medically over-weight with a further 25% classified as obese.
Full report: http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/slan07_report.pdf?direct=1
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