A survey carried out by the National Statistics Office throws light on several aspects of the lifestyles of Maltese adults including hobbies and work, leisure trends, health and physical characteristics.

The survey was carried out between November 2006 and January 2007, and was addressed to Maltese residents aged 18+ who lived in private households. The results highlight a number of factors that influence the way Maltese residents live and include information related to hobbies, life satisfaction, smoking, alcohol consumption, health, fruit and vegetable consumption, weight and height.

Hobbies

The analysis showed that reading is the most popular hobby among the adult population. In fact, 38 per cent of Maltese residents aged 18 and over have reading as one of their main hobbies. In addition, reading was found to be more popular among women.

Twenty-six per cent highlighted travel as a principal leisure activity while home decoration proved a favourite pastime with over one-fifth of the population, predominantly women. Twenty-one per cent mentioned Internet-browsing as a preferred activity.

Places frequented

Restaurants were found to be the most frequented places by the adult population, with 79 per cent reporting that they frequented restaurants in the 12 months predating the survey.

It was observed that cinemas, live sport events, bars and wine bars, clubs, dance-clubs, nightclubs and restaurants are frequented mostly by men. On the other hand, live performances, cultural sites and casinos are frequented mostly by women.

Health

The survey results indicated that nearly 62 per cent rate their physical health as good. This factor was observed to be highly related to the individual’s Body Mass Index, with 88 per cent of underweight individuals affirming good physical health against 45 per cent of obese persons.

It also emerged that 84 per cent visited a GP in the year before the survey, while half the adult population visited a dentist. Nearly 10 per cent reported that they visited neither a GP nor a dentist.

Weight and height

On average a Maltese adult weighs 72.5 kg. This varies from 65.9 kg for women to 79.4 kg for men. Some 3 per cent of the adult population is underweight, whereas 62 per cent are either overweight or obese.

It was estimated that the average height of the Maltese population is 165.3 cm. On a gender level, the average height in respect of women is 159.7 cm compared to the average man’s 171.2 cm.

Smoking

Some 81,900 adult individuals, or 26 per cent, smoke cigarettes. A gender breakdown reveals that one-fifth of women and one-third of men are smokers.

Alcohol consumption

On average, an adult drinks 1.8 units of wine, 1.3 units of beer and 1.0 unit of spirits per week. Alcohol consumption seems to be related to gender. In fact, men drink 2.5 units of wine, 2.6 units of beer and 1.5 units of spirits per week while the average woman consumes 1.1 units of wine, 0.1 units of beer and 1.0 unit of spirits.

Some 43,450 adult individuals, or nearly 14 per cent, responded that they had driven a motor vehicle after having had three or more drinks in the 12 months prior to the carrying out of the survey.

Eating habits

On average, 54 per cent of Maltese residents were on a diet at the time of the survey. The results indicated that men were more likely to be following a low-cholesterol diet while women tended to resort to a weight- reducing diet. It was estimated that on average 48 per cent eat fruit almost everyday while another 28 per cent eat fruit 3 to 5 days a week. A minority of 5 per cent responded that they never eat fruit.

It was also found that on average, 74 per cent consume vegetables almost everyday or 3 to 5 days a week. According to the survey results, vegetable consumption does not form part of the eating patterns of 3 per cent of the adult population.

Mean hours worked

Maltese residents work an average of 41.2 hours per week. On a gender level, men work a weekly 42.9 hours while women work 38.3 hours, on average.

Life satisfaction

Overall, Maltese adults are satisfied with their lives. Generally, it emerged that married individuals have the greatest life satisfaction while persons who co-habit are the least satisfied with their lives. In addition, when looking at individuals through the lens of economic status, retired individuals are the group most likely to derive the biggest satisfaction from life. By contrast, unemployed individuals emerged as the least satisfied ..

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