Belgians Smoke Less, Exercise More—but Screen Time Remains High, Sciensano National Survey Reveals

Brussels, The Gulf Observer: In a comprehensive health survey released by Sciensano—the first such nationwide assessment since the Covid‑19 pandemic—Belgian residents aged 15 and older have shown a notable decline in smoking habits and an uptick in physical activity. However, screen time continues to be a significant concern, as a majority still spend considerable time in front of TVs and devices.

Smoking & Vaping Trends

• Daily smoking dropped from 15.4% in 2018 to 12.8% in the latest findings.
• Of current smokers, 36% expressed a desire to quit within the next year.
• E‑cigarette use edged up from 4% to 6% among adults aged 15 and over.

Increased Physical Activity

• The share of adults meeting the World Health Organization’s leisure‑time activity guidelines—at least 3 hours of moderate exercise per week—rose from 30.1% in 2018 to 34.9%.

Screen Time Still a Concern

• A striking 70% of Belgians aged 15 and above reported watching TV or videos for at least two hours daily.
• While overall screen exposure increased with age, the survey also found that social media use wanes among older cohorts.

Alcohol Consumption Patterns

• The proportion of daily alcohol consumers decreased slightly from 9.7% to 7.7% since 2018.
• However, Sciensano noted that total alcohol intake hasn’t fallen appreciably, as those who drink tend to consume larger amounts.

Study Context & Limitations

• The survey, conducted every five years, evaluates health metrics such as weight, diet, smoking, alcohol, and exercise.
• Sciensano cautions that the results reflect a single point in time and therefore do not establish causation.