The latest study conducted by IO Sondea for Herbalife has revealed an increase in the time that Spaniards dedicate to sports practice, reaching an average of 4.6 hours per week, the highest figure recorded to date in all editions of this survey. However, the data also show a slight decrease in healthy eating habits, with 75% of respondents claiming to follow a balanced diet, a lower figure compared to previous years.
Despite this increase in physical activity, body perception remains a significant area of concern for the Spanish population. The report, which gathers the opinions of 1,019 people aged 16 to 65 from across the country, highlights that 55% of respondents are not satisfied with their bodies. This percentage is more pronounced among women, whose dissatisfaction with their bodies has increased from 54% in 2023 to 57% in 2024. Meanwhile, 45% of the surveyed individuals indicate being happy with their weight, especially those in the 16 to 24 age group.
The demographic analysis of the data emphasizes that people belonging to a higher social class and with higher education are the ones who most claim to have a healthy diet. However, changes in lifestyle habits have influenced the average body mass index, especially among women, who have experienced an increase compared to the previous year; men, in contrast, have remained more stable.
Furthermore, the report highlights that close to 78% of Spaniards practice some sport at least once a week, a trend that has been increasing since 2019. This boost in physical activity is favored by the expansion of gyms and sports facilities, which currently total around 4,700 throughout the country, consolidating Spain as one of the main fitness markets in Europe.
In contrast to the increase in physical activity, the adoption of healthy eating habits has shown a slight decline, with a decrease in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, according to the Food Consumption Panel of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
Florencia Braga, dietitian-nutritionist and senior manager of Scientific Affairs for EMEA at Herbalife, emphasizes the importance of understanding these health patterns in order to promote positive changes in the nutritional habits and lifestyle of Spaniards. According to Braga, the study results are key to identifying areas for improvement and promoting greater well-being among the population.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish