Switzerland has been named Europe’s fittest nation, with low obesity levels and one of the highest life expectancies in the world, a new study has found.
The study, by MagicalNepal.com analysed global health data to determine the world’s fittest countries. It analysed 11 factors that contribute to a person’s overall fitness and ability, as well as life expectancy data. These range from alcohol consumption to disease, death, and smoking rates.
Japan, with the longest life expectancy in the world (84.8 years), topped the list, while Singapore was second. Of the several European countries in the top ten, however, Switzerland came out on top.
According to the study, hiking and skiing are among the key physical activities of the Swiss, with a very low level of adults who are inactive, 23.7%, which also correlates with lower levels of obesity, at 12.5%.
Best of the rest
France, which ranks fourth on a global level, is Europe’s second-fittest country, with deaths by cardiovascular disease particularly low, at only 91 per 100,000 of the population, way below the average of 295 deaths. Respiratory disease deaths are also way lower than average, while diabetes prevalence is also low at 6.1%.
Norway is Europe’s third-fittest country, with Norwegians enjoying hiking, skiing, and fishing, promoting an active lifestyle. The Norwegian diet, rich in fish and whole grains, enhances health, with only 6% of deaths being linked to obesity, much lower than the average of 11.7% across other countries. Norwegians also consume less alcohol than the global average, 6.8 litres per year.
Finland ranks next, where hiking, ice swimming and cross-country skiing keep the population fit and healthy. Finland boasts a very low percentage of adults who are physically inactive at only 16%, the average being 28%.
Sweden rounds of the top five of Europe’s fittest countries, with just 23% of Sweden’s population physically inactive, which also correlates with low obesity levels of 15.6% and low prevalence of diabetes (5%).
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Fitness and health
“Fitness and health are two of the most important factors that contribute to quality of life,” a spokesperson for MagicalNepal.com said. “The data suggests that simple lifestyle changes such as healthier diets, much like Japan, where fish and rice are popular choices, engaging in physical activity such as in Switzerland, where hiking and skiing are prominent, or reducing alcohol intake, could reduce health issues such as obesity.
“Furthermore, it could reduce the risk of the symptoms of these issues, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The increase in life expectancy is clear from this data and shows that with a few changes, anyone could take on these extreme fitness challenges, and maybe you could be the next person to summit Everest or any of the world’s tallest peaks.”
Read more: What country has the worst diet in Europe?
Fittest Countries in Europe
| Country | Life Expectancy | Obese Adults (%) | Deaths by Obesity (%) | Deaths by Smoking (%) | Alcohol Consumption | Insufficient Physical Activity (%) | Score (/100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 84.00 | 12.4% | 8.31% | 15.5% | 10.40 | 23.70% | 76.72 |
| France | 82.50 | 10% | 7.5% | 15% | 11.30 | 29.3% | 76.57 |
| Norway | 83.20 | 19.5% | 6.6% | 12.4% | 6.80 | 31.7% | 76.00 |
| Finland | 82.00 | 21.9% | 9.6% | 12.5% | 9.16 | 16.6% | 75.60 |
| Sweden | 83.00 | 15.5% | 9.2% | 14.9% | 9.30 | 23.1% | 75.44 |
