Nearly a Third of Young Austrian Men Are Overweight

Nearly a Third of Young Austrian Men Are Overweight

Image: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

 

Some 21.4% of men born in 2005 were classified as overweight based on their Body Mass Index (BMI) during their military service assessment, according to new data from Statistik Austria. A further 11.2% were deemed obese.

By comparison, men born in 1985 had lower rates of overweight and obesity. At the time of their conscription, 15.5% were overweight, and 5.8% were considered obese. Over the past four decades, the average height of men assessed for military service has risen slightly, from 177.8 cm in 1985 to 178.8 cm in 2005. However, their average weight has also increased, from 72.3 kg to 77.0 kg.

There has also been a notable decline in smoking among young men. The proportion of smokers dropped from 16.3% among those born in 2004 to 12.9% among those born in 2005, meaning 87.1% of young men were non-smokers. In 1985, more than half of those undergoing military assessment – 52.2% – were smokers.

Smoking rates vary depending on educational background. Among those born in 2005 who did not complete compulsory schooling, 30.4% reported smoking. Among those who had completed compulsory schooling, 18.2% were smokers. However, young men attending higher education or who had already completed it were much less likely to smoke, with only around 3% smoking, meaning 97% were non-smokers.

In Austria, all male citizens aged between 18 and 35 are required to undergo either compulsory military or civil service as an alternative to military service, with the formal assessment taking place in the year they turn 18. The procedure primarily assesses an individual’s health and fitness for military service.

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