SA has healthy habits

SOUTH Africans have healthy habits with 47.7% not drinking alcoholic beverages on a weekday and 60% being non-smokers.

This is according to an online study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa (HSFSA) before World Heart Day marked on September 29.

The study which saw more than 980 people taking part was conducted with Lucky Star.

About 60.3% of the participants were female, with the average age of the respondents being 42.

HSFSA chief executive professor Pamela Naidoo said: “On the whole, South Africans have healthy habits, with 47.7% not drinking alcoholic beverages on a weekday and 60% being non-smokers. Food, however, is their downfall, with 41.1% – the majority – wanting to change their diet. One of the easiest ways they can do this is by eating more items with the heart mark logo which 86% of respondents had seen before, and 51% knew are approved by our organisation.”

Despite participants saying that they want to modify their diets, the study found that people only eat unhealthy foods like fast foods, takeaways and street food which are high in saturated fats, salt and sugar occasionally.

The survey also showed that South Africans are highly active, with the bulk (73%) of respondents exercising between once and seven times a week and 18.8% working out three times a week.

Quizzed on what they were willing to do to live a healthier lifestyle, 74.3% of participants said they would eat healthier, 66.5% shared that they would exercise more and 43.5% would add fish to their diet.

“With oily fish being packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce blood triglycerides, slow the build-up of plaque in the arteries and lower blood pressure, it’s no wonder adding more fish to their diets was one of the most popular choices. Fish should be eaten often as part of a balanced diet to prevent heart disease and strokes,” said Naidoo.