Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
14 June 2023 | 20:53 CAT

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South Africa could be a healthier country. A new study indicates that globally, the country ranks 10th out of 50 countries for unhealthy lifestyle habits. The study by the medical aid comparison website, MedicalAid.com indicates that Bulgaria has the worst health habits, while people in India have the fewest unhealthy habits on average.

Many bad habits can harm our health, but some are far more damaging than others. Whether you’re guilty of excessive snacking, avoiding exercise, or staying up late way past your bedtime, the behaviours we build up over time can have a mounting impact on our long-term health.

Medical Aid conducted a study looking at five different habits detrimental to human health across 50 countries. These factors are combined into an overall “Unhealthy Lifestyle Score”, revealing the countries with the healthiest and least healthy lifestyles.

MedicalAid.com Research Manager Tarri-Dee Botes told Radio Islam International the five bad habits include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity and STDs.

According to MedicalAid.com, separate data for the international and section focusing on US states was used.

When comparing countries, data from the World Health Organization showed rates of tobacco smoking, obesity and physical inactivity across different countries. Data from the CIA Factbook was also used to show the rate of alcohol consumption per capita in each country, and data from Wisevoter showed the prevalence of 5 common STDs in each country (excluding HIV). Data for these factors were combined into a single Unhealthy Lifestyle Score which was used to rank the countries from those with the unhealthiest habits to those with the fewest.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.