Advent, Christmas, New Year: For many people, this is the time when their pants fit tighter than usual. A representative Forsa survey commissioned by stern showed that almost every second adult in this country is dissatisfied with their weight. 45 percent of the German citizens surveyed feel too fat and three percent feel too thin. Overall, 50 percent are satisfied with their weight. The survey was conducted between December 13 and 15, 2023.
The proportion of dissatisfied people is particularly high among those in employment: 52 percent of them feel that they are too fat. 37 percent of pensioners say this, while only 22 percent of school and college students say this. In the latter group, 13 percent think they are too thin. However, there are hardly any notable gender differences among those surveyed. Across all age groups, 44 percent of men think they are too fat. For women it is 47 percent.
If you think about your current weight: Do you personally feel too fat, too thin or are you satisfied with your weight overall?
It feels…
too thick (in %)
Source: Forsa survey commissioned by stern; 1002 respondents from December 13th to 15th, 2023; statistical error tolerance: /- 3 percentage points; 100 percent missing information = “don’t know”
14 percent of those surveyed said they had already been on a diet. 34 percent have tried diets several times. Although the sexes are so close in terms of body image, the proportion of dieters experienced among women is significantly higher at 61 percent than among men (35 percent). Regardless of gender, 69 percent of those who feel too fat have diet experience. 30 percent of them have not yet been on a diet.
Have you ever gone on a diet to lose weight?
Source: Forsa survey commissioned by stern; 1002 respondents from December 13th to 15th, 2023; Statistical error tolerance: /- 3 percentage points
What do German citizens pay attention to when shopping in the supermarket? Healthy foods play an important or very important role for the majority of those surveyed. 80 percent of those surveyed stated that when purchasing food they make sure that it is particularly healthy – the most frequently mentioned criterion.
74 percent find it particularly important that the food comes from the region. 65 percent say they are cheap. Organic farming is important to just over half (54 percent) of those surveyed. A good rating on food traffic lights such as the Nutri-Score plays a minor role for those surveyed: only 33 percent mention it as an important or very important purchasing criterion.
What ends up in the shopping cart is also a question of gender and age. Women are more likely than men to value food that is particularly healthy, comes from the region and is organically grown. Older respondents aged 60 and over are more likely than younger people to ensure that the food comes from their region and has a good rating on the food traffic light. Organic farming, on the other hand, is more important to people under 30 than to older people.
What criteria do you usually use to choose your food when shopping?
Source: Forsa survey commissioned by stern; 1002 respondents from December 13th to 15th, 2023; Statistical error tolerance: /- 3 percentage points
Net household income also plays a role when choosing food, the survey shows. Cheap prices are (very) important to 78 percent of those with lower incomes, but only 58 percent of those with higher incomes.
Just over one in five (22 percent) respondents said they usually cook their own meals every day using fresh ingredients. 23 percent do this five to six days a week, 30 percent three to four days and 15 percent one to two days. For almost one in ten respondents, the kitchen remains mostly cold: nine percent cook less than once a week or not at all.
Comparative values for the question are available from a Forsa survey in November 2019. Accordingly, slightly more German citizens (22 percent) say they cook every day than four years ago (16 percent).
How many days a week do you typically cook your own meals using fresh ingredients?
Source: Forsa survey commissioned by stern; 1002 respondents from December 13th to 15th, 2023; Statistical error tolerance: /- 3 percentage points
The Forsa survey was carried out on behalf of stern, which deals with the topic of healthy eating in the current cover story. Readers will find out why modern diets can be bad for health and weight and how they can lose a few kilos without having to forego enjoyment. A nutritionist also gives weight loss tips for everyday life.
For further reading:
Forget short-term diet programs. This is how losing weight really works – and sustainably
A psychologist about bad habits – and how to get rid of them
Slim thanks to sport? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! An evolutionary biologist dispels the biggest weight loss myth
Why belly fat is so dangerous – and how you can get rid of it without dieting
