Unhealthy Diet

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An unhealthy diet is a diet that is not balanced, i.e. one that fails to provide the body with the necessary nutrients and/or supplies it with certain foods in excess. Such a diet has the following consequences [1-3]:

  • Excessive calorie intake. This can cause overweight and obesity.
  • Insufficient calorie intake. This can lead to underweight and secondary diseases.
  • Foods with high sugar and fat content (high-sugar beverages, confectionery, pastries, fried foods, fast food). This increases the risk of overweight, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
  • Insufficient fresh fruit and vegetables. This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and increase the risk of a range of diseases.
  • Insufficient fibre. This can trigger digestive problems and increase the risk of bowel cancer.
  • Excessive saturated fat and trans fats (processed food, fast food, high-fat meat). This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Low protein. This can cause muscle atrophy, deterioration of performance, lethargy and other health problems.
  • Excessive salt intake. This can increase blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Insufficient fluid intake. This can lead to headaches, tiredness, concentration difficulties and dizziness.
  • A person’s diet is not adapted to their needs and circumstances (age, height, weight, activity level, state of health, etc.).

Together with tobacco and alcohol consumption and insufficient exercise, an unhealthy diet is one of the most significant risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes [4]. These diseases account for over 90% of deaths in Germany and have considerable socio-economic consequences, owing to premature mortality in adulthood and shortening of the healthy phase of life [5]. Based on respondents’ own information from 2019/2020, almost one-fifth of adults (19%) in Germany exhibit obesity [6]. If overweight (body mass index ≥ 25) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) are both taken into account, 46.6% of women and 60.5% of men in this cohort are affected [6]. The number of obese persons rose by 30% between 2012 and 2022. The increase was particularly strong among younger men, aged between 25 and 34 [7]. Both age and level of education have a significant influence. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increases with age. Obesity is also significantly more common among groups with a lower education [8]. Both phenomena can also be observed among children and adolescents [9].

Should it be sustained, a poor diet can reduce life expectancy. The effects of an unhealthy diet become apparent within only a few days: the immune system is impaired and susceptibility to bacterial infections increases [10]. The timing of meals is also a factor in the prevention of cardiovascular disease [11]. Owing to their high prevalence and to secondary diseases, overweight and obesity result in considerable costs for the health and social insurance systems [12]. A study by the federal association of Germany’s AOK health insurance institution found that around 9% of absences from work were attributable to obesity [13].


Contact

Dipl.-Psych. Angelika Hauke

Interdisciplinary Services

Tel: +49 30 13001-3633


Dipl.-Übers. Ina Neitzner

Interdisciplinary Services

Tel: +49 30 13001-3630
Fax: +49 30 13001-38001