The Irish Life 2024 Health of the Nation annual research report has revealed that the National Health Score has now declined by 4.7 per cent since 2019, and that 100,000 more adults in Ireland have fallen into the ‘poor health’ category.
Around 60 per cent of Irish adults are now overweight or obese, according to the report. Ireland’s average weight has increased from 79kg in 2023 to 81kg this year. On average, 37 per cent of Ireland’s adult population are now spending more than half their day in a sedentary position, and the national average body mass index has increased to 27.1, which is categorised as overweight.
A generational gap is emerging in Ireland’s health and wellbeing standards, with more than twice as many under 35-year-olds in the ‘poor health’ category compared to older adults. People aged 16-34 scored worse across a range of physical and mental wellbeing metrics, in comparison to older generations.
Findings also reveal an increased number of younger adults who are smoking or vaping (36 per cent). Overall, 27 per cent of adults said they vape or smoke, compared to 23 per cent in 2023 and 18 per cent in 2022.
Other key findings include:
- One-in-four adults report feeling stressed, depressed or anxious more
than half the time. - Average consumption of fruit and vegetable stands at 4.6 portions per
day amongst all adults. - Almost two-thirds of workplace managers see mental health needs of employees growing year on year, and 42 per cent believe their workplace is supportive of employee mental health.
- 89 per cent of Irish adults report feeling positive about the future, with 90 per cent of all respondents believing in their ability to overcome challenges.
Dr Carol Rogan, Psychologist, Irish Life Wellbeing, said: “The results of this year’s Irish Life Health of the Nation report paints a bleak picture of the nation’s health, showcasing the downward trajectory we have been experiencing since 2018.
“The mental wellbeing findings are of significant concern and mirror the most recent global findings which also show no sign of a post-pandemic bounce back. It’s evident that we all have a part to play – Government, state bodies, employers, and individuals – to take action to start to reverse the trends we have seen in recent years.”
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