Why are Greeks so much healthier compared to Turks and other Balkaners?
Posted by freddo_expresso@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 219 comments
Posted by freddo_expresso@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 219 comments
abandonedtulpa@reddit
I’d assume a big part of it is how common the Mediterranean diet is in Greece, which is pretty healthy. In Bulgaria, on the other hand, we eat fattier meats, drink a lot more alcohol, and smoke a lot too, one of the highest rates in the EU.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Turkey is also a Mediterranean country and surrounded by sea from 3 sides. Yet the results are dramatically different.
khrushchevka2310@reddit
Turkey is definitely not Mediterranean country as a whole, some parts are but majority isn't, especially huge population centers like marmara region ankara etc.Plus the difference is not just the diet.General quality of life, access to doctors was better in greece for much much longer than turkey.Its only in the last 20 years that turkey that saw development.
Ready_Substance8456@reddit
By land area Turkey's mediterrean reigon is almost 2x larger than the entirety of Greece(even by just counting the southern and western coastlines), so calling it not a mediterrean country is wrong. And I don't agree that there is a significant quality of life difference between Turkey and Greece, they are quite similar.
khrushchevka2310@reddit
Izmir yes ankara is definitely not like greece.Same thing with black sea region or middle eastern regions.There is no way anyone visited interior of turkey and said yes that looks Mediterranean.
The quality of life was historically better thats why in metrics greece is still better, today is pretty much on par i guess with the exception of the poorer regions of turkey.
Ready_Substance8456@reddit
By the same argument Its like saying Russia isn't in Asia or Russia isn't in Europe, which is both not correct, same thing applies here. You can definitely say Turkey is mediterranean, middle eastern, asian, caucasian, balkan and Europen in some of its parts. Like Turkey is a large country (larger than the entire balkan reigon) and in the intersection of different reigons. So saying Turkey is not mediterranean(almost 30% of the land) is even more absurd than saying Turkey is not middle eastern(10-15% of the land).
khrushchevka2310@reddit
I thing its pretty obvious that i meant as whole you can't categorize turkey as a Mediterranean like lebanon Italy greece Tunisia etc.
Turkey is big country and there are parts that look Mediterranean but as whole its not.I dont understand what's your argument here, even by your metric (30%) which i don't know where you got it from its definitely not majority Mediterranean.Most important city in turkey is not Mediterranean, capital is also not Mediterranean.
The point was that Russia even though is mainly in Asia vast majority of population is in European part and historically has a lot more connections with Europe than Asia.So by comparing total "Mediterranean" area to greece and saying it bigger than greece is stupid.Turkey's land massive is so of course its gonna be bigger.European part of turkey is also bigger than kosovo that doesn't make it balkan country.Some regions are but you cant say that whole of turkey is balkan.
You just argue for the same of arguing.
desertedlamp4@reddit
I agree Turkey doesn't follow the famous Mediterranean diet but things like landmass or population density in an area doesn't matter, that's not how geopolitical labels work lol, Egypt is considered part of the Middle East even though it's an African country with its capital and most of its population in Africa, same goes for Cyprus being considered a European country
khrushchevka2310@reddit
Africa is an entire continent and the second biggest after asia of course you gonna find variations there.Egypt is considered north african geographically same with algeria libya Morocco.The Africa americans think is the sub saharan africa.
I don't understand your point though.
desertedlamp4@reddit
Geopolitically Egypt is part of the Middle East, you were commenting on Turkey's Balkaness
khrushchevka2310@reddit
And what geopolitics has to do with culture?Turkey is bigger country and is diverse some areas look balkan some middle eastern some Mediterranean.
Ready_Substance8456@reddit
ok
Gimmebiblio@reddit
You're arguing over nothing. Op said "it's not a Mediterranean country as a whole".
desertedlamp4@reddit
I'd be surprised if Greece has one region as cold as Erzurum, Kars, or hell even Ankara
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
We do, it's called Western Macedonia.
cinammonrollies@reddit
It’s not really fair to compare Greece and Turkey directly. Turkey spans multiple regions from the Balkans to the Mediterranean to the Middle East and has a population about five times larger than Greece. Western Turkey shares a very similar food culture with Greece, while Eastern Turkey’s cuisine is quite different and more closely aligned with the Levant. Heck, even the north is different. You really can’t put Turkey in a certain category. Surely Greece is the same regarding its northern and southern regions? I don’t think you would share the same food culture.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Greece also has regional cuisines that are vastly different. Around 80% of our land is mountains, and the inhabitants of these mountains rarely consume any seafood at all. It's very much dairy and meat based diets, with a great amount of vegetables as well. For example, the cuisine of Epirus shares almost nothing with the cuisine of Crete.
rchater26@reddit
Turkish food is pretty fatty and they eat a ton of sugar and carbs in general. I suppose that plays a role.
yunusege123@reddit
No bro, turks are much more workcholic than the greeks. Greeks are lazy i dont say it in bad way just it is what it is.
RijnBrugge@reddit
You seen how much they smoke?
FalseRegister@reddit
Their food is has muchhhh more fat, tho
Capable_Studio_6631@reddit
Obesity rates suggest otherwise - https://www.eufic.org/en/healthy-living/article/europes-obesity-statistics-figures-trends-rates-by-country - Greece is top 10 in Obesity/Overweight.
BeeUnfair4086@reddit
We are the top smokers as well. As far as we are concerned only Bulgaria could race us head to head for the nr 1. spot.
Excellent_Jeweler_43@reddit
As far as I remember Bulgarians, Greeks and Turks are always racing for the 1st spot in top smokers
0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z0z@reddit
I'm in Turkey rn. The smoking situation is ANNOYING AS SHIT. Greece wasn't as bad --at least they don't try to get around the law by installing retractable ceilings in cafes and restaurants. I can't breathe ffs. Stop this, guys.
angstdreamer@reddit
I'm traveling in Greece now as part of my interrail and I have to say smoking habits in Greece is a fresh wind from the 80's.
ThePresindente@reddit
Don’t you slather everything in mayo ?
QuoD-Art@reddit
not really? first time I'm hearing of this
nerdyHyena93@reddit
It depends on which part of Greece you are I think. I’m married to a Greek from the north (not too far from the border), and their diet is very meat-heavy. But his grandmothers lived into their 90s and his grandmothers brother died aged 97 today, so I dunno, I’d have to check the average lifespan of the area to know if the diet is influential.
nobody1568@reddit
Not common at all.
Miserable_Marsupial@reddit
I really don't get why you are being down voted. Modern Greek diet has nothing in common with the Mediterranean diet. French fries in pitogyro or with many other foods, fatty gyros or other cuts of pork or ground meat product, processed carbs in everyday breakfast items, filled with sugar and palm oil, desserts of any kind, pizza, burgers, are much more staple nowadays compared to whole grain foods, vegetable only dishes, fish and legumes. Many people dont even buy fish on a regular basis anymore (it's increasing price doesn't help), nor have the appetite for the other dishes I mentioned. Even people that do cook them might eat them 2-3 times in week max, depending on the family of course, but in general they make a small portion of everyday calories. Thats why many Greeks are overweight. And most likely than not, the ones that care about "fitness" or a diet don't follow a Mediterranean diet either. The normally consume way less carbs (the base of said diet) and more protein/vegetables.
nobody1568@reddit
It's the internet!
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
That's a wild statement
Coockooroockoo@reddit
I think the other person expressed the right idea in the wrong way.
The Mediterranean diet is common, in the sense that we treat is as a shopping list. But following it as dietary lifestyle is not common at all. The majority of people eat very unhealthily and prefer other parts of Greek cuisine.
In other words, eating a choriatiki and fish every Saturday isn't following a Mediterranean diet when you also ate a few pita gyros and pizzas as well.
thepotatomaniscoming@reddit
I mean in Greece everyone is smoking also
SuedeJacketMonster@reddit
I don't think it's the diet, Greek food is full of sugar, it really bothers me when I go there. But I would guess it has more to do with the abundance of sun and social cohesion, like being religious and having an extensive network of family and friends. Also the calm lifestyle of sipping coffee or just sitting on a chair looking at the sea.
leftenant_t@reddit
The Mediterranean diet is a fad.
BigFrosty818@reddit
I’m interested…. What do you mean?
VukKiller@reddit
I know some old people from Varna and they are all pretty healthy for their age.
They mostly eat fish and vegetables. And lots of alcohol, though.
tropsmania@reddit
And yet when you go to a Greek beach, all Greek people are overweight while it is not the same for Bulgarians. Younger Bulgarians are fitter and healthier than Greeks. However, when we reach 40, this seems to change for some reason.
Y3mmzz@reddit
In many "unhealthy" countries, "traditional food" is a total wreck. You’ve got a culture of drinking at every possible opportunity—weddings, holidays, Christmas, weekends, you name it. It’s not just a couple of glasses, either; it’s several bottles of liquor. Throw in a complete lack of health literacy and zero physical activity, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Things are starting to change with today’s 40-to-50-year-olds, but our parents’ generation simply wasn't educated on any of this.
desertedlamp4@reddit
Turkey isn't just the Aegean region, East Thrace and Istanbul, and on top of that we have tens of millions Kurds and Roma people. I can't believe I have to say this
tommy_boy_syd@reddit
Not accurate data maybe?
Orqee@reddit
One word Yogurt!
Top-Albatross7765@reddit
Irish people are a bit deluded about this tho 😂
Usual-Package7120@reddit
Because the map says 'self-perceived good health' also. Ofc the balkans gonna say they're in poor health, have u ever spoken to one, we complain everything hurts and that promaja will kill us haha
mrvitz@reddit
Mediterranean diet! Sea and stuff we in the Balkans don't know!
TheTierney@reddit
In Portugal I believe tobacco is not as big of a problem as in most Balkan countries. However, alcohol is.
There is also a big cultural difference in how people act. We love to complain about everything, I don't know how it is in all balkans. If you ask any old person how they are feeling, the answer is never "good" or anything positive. They will immediately tell you about some minor problem, about how they are taking so many pills. An otherwise healthy elder person with a minor discomfort such as a slightly higher than average blood pressure or diabetes will tell you they aren't well because they are on medication they weren't on. Average life expectancy is actually slightly higher in Portugal than Greece according to the UN, world bank and the WHO. But we just think we are all sick and dying.
Now if you excuse me, I'm out. I gotta drop the phone. My eyes are not the same as they used to be and I don't want to make them worse. I'm on eye drops and probably dying from it.
-Against-All-Gods-@reddit
Also you guys invented francesinha. Eating one of those reduces lifespan for a year.
egny@reddit
I would have thought the desserts made of 10-20 eggs and some more yolks for good measure would have some effect on life expectancy. Apparently not because they're brilliant.
floare_salbatica@reddit
Yeah, buddy, same here, why do you think you're honorary Balkan? 😅 And please don't die!
evoscheibe@reddit
We eat foods that has been returned from the european customs due to lack of nutriens and high content of lead or salmonella or other shits that shouldnt be consumed by a human being. Also erdoğan.
melyay@reddit
The year we shot down that Russian fighter was the year any food tasted the best. Thanks to Russia who boycotted everything from Turkey.
aycaramba11@reddit
You also eat a shit ton of meat
inki471@reddit
Either ragebait or you don’t know Erdoğan exists. A steak will cost me almost 1/8 of my salary. Just buying meat worth three meals in a single month will make you incapable of affording your rent, bills and taxes. Meat is more affordable in a random third world country compared to here.
aycaramba11@reddit
Honestly I go to turkey quite often, and it seems that their diet consists mostly of meat. I had no idea it was so bad
inki471@reddit
Yeah Turkish cuisine is heavily meat based so it’s not that crazy to assume that, I guess. Sorry for accusing you of ragebait, then.
plebbitchungus@reddit
Poorest African countries are better able to afford meat than Turkey lol
CarpathianBVULL@reddit
Except Spain eats the most meat in Europe, per capita, showing that most people can live to 80+ just fine with a High meat consumption
Spiritual-Can2604@reddit
It’s all the naps
SuedeJacketMonster@reddit
Which is not a bad thing at all despite the persistent myths to the contrary.
evoscheibe@reddit
Its cute that you think we are able to afford meat :)
BeeUnfair4086@reddit
Or that meat is bad....
OsmanCuneyd@reddit
its healthy
PoorDoddle@reddit
We have the lowest meat consumption in Europe lol
Redararis@reddit
65+ people lived their best years in the golden age of modern greece, when social democratic party was in power. Stress free era, good diet (mainly rich salads and fresh seafood) and lots of quality sex. They lived full lives. Since then things went downhill and it will depicted in the health of future old people in the next years.
Ethelserth2@reddit
ΠΑΣΟΚ
tulum_peyniri_wowza@reddit
“self perceived”
Beneficial-Swan-519@reddit
I dont know if the data its accurate but my grandpa (Greek)at age 90 runs as fast as me (age 29) if not faster, and his arm is like Popeye's. I would say its because he worked all his years in the fields (and probably cause of the food too, he lives in a village so he only eats the best of the best)
aquazent@reddit
The western part of Turkey (the Aegean region) has a diet similar to that of Greece. However, the central and eastern regions have a diet that is much higher in fat and carbohydrates.
The sizes of the countries are very different.
Access to adequate healthcare and the general economic level are also generally lower than in Greece. I think these factors play a role.
bilalcelik1984@reddit
Retired Turks often visit hospitals even for minor issues and tend to seek reassurance from the public healthcare system. The system, in turn, accommodates this behavior.
This pattern is common even among those who are otherwise physically healthy.
At the same time, low pensions and limited savings contribute to a persistent sense of insecurity which reinforces frequent healthcare use and a perception of poor health.
Distinct_Travel6386@reddit
Genetics
Drafter1991@reddit
My Greek diet:
Breakfast: Cigarette and coffee Noon : I m still at work so a sandwich or souvlaki. Cigarette after Afternoon: why it now since you ll get hungry again later? Cigarette again 9 pm: Eat like you've never eaten before cause im hungry!! And cigarrette for a good night sleep.
Thank me later
Laepo@reddit
As if old portuguese people will ever say they are fine... If you ask them how they are you'll a list of diseases longer than any doctor will be able to name.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
That is exactly the case in Greece, I am honestly surprised. Older Greeks are champions in complaining.
low-sikeliot-9062@reddit
we can safely ignore this
Atactos@reddit
ΠΑΣΟΚ
Willing-Actuator-509@reddit
Less alcohol and smoking, good and proactive Healthcare.
Young_Owl99@reddit
Aaah such an every “statictic of Europe” map ever map.
Greece being good one in Balkans and Portugal being honorary Balkan.
Siduch@reddit
And western/Northern Europe being the highest, especially Switzerland and Scandinavia
IJustHadAPanicAttack@reddit
r/PORTUGALCYKABLYAT
LaVeriteEstDansLeVin@reddit
Lol, in Greece old people will be coughing their lungs out and tell you they're fine
From my experience visiting other countries, in Greece old people look a lot more worn. Very often in the streets I see old people who can barely walk and climb steps with great difficulty. Also their treatment and care is very bad here. In order to be treated well you have to pay a lot of money which not everybody can afford.
floare_salbatica@reddit
This is extremely sad. I lived in Western Europe for quite a few years and was always amazed how well kept women were there. It's like our grandparents look 20 years older due to hard work, lack of resources when they're old and not seldom bad teeth ( not that the others have better teeth, but they can afford dentures).
TiredOperator420@reddit
In Poland some people in their 20s look like they are in their 40s.
BrightGas3533@reddit
Bulgaria will win the least teeth competition even in that age bracket, I'm willing to bet.
TiredOperator420@reddit
I am not the perfect example but I paid my price for negligence and spent a small fortune on fixing my dental health.
Kids born after 2000 have less dental issues so progress is possible!
hubbabubbameqershi@reddit
Economic wellbeing is most important thing. If you have money you don't have stress, you can eat well,. you can afford a better apartment or home with all utilities, you don't work your ass off 10 hours a day 7 days a week, better access to healthcare.
floare_salbatica@reddit
Sure: that+ grooming.
dcell1974@reddit
I think part of what you are noticing is that there are a lot of very old people. My dad was very able to get around until he was about 90. He fits your description, but he is 96 years old. Some difficult in mobility is expected in very elderly people.
Fiko515@reddit
right? while in Slovakia the 90 year old who works in her garden talks about being near to death...... for the last 50 years....
SoulEkko@reddit
A thing which many people don't know is sun exposure. While people see it as vitamin D and whatnot, the Sun is a bombardment of radiation and too much exposure literally destroys your skin DNA. Here's the same face of a truck driver, one side of the face shows 28 years worth of sun damage from driving.
If you want to read more on the subject.
Timalakeseinai@reddit
fair enough, just make sure we use the same "self perceived" argument when talking about "self perceived" poverty etc.
Key_Witness7016@reddit
Too many troubles that turks have to worry about
Various-Chemical5320@reddit
Never been comunist state
Happy-Hour88@reddit
They eat more seafood than the rest.
Mikowolf@reddit
Nordics winning again, shocker
Happy-Hour88@reddit
I envy every Southern European guy who somehow married a Nordic lady. Lucky f-kers!
nasosroukounas@reddit
It's because of greek yogurt 🎃
zoewithalab@reddit
The huge part why Turkey always comes up the shittiest in these European wellness/health measuring maps is that they use self reporting.
Do you know how much an old Turkish person complain? I can show you now.
bombosch@reddit
They don’t give a f*ck about anything. This is a healty life.
Plastic_Egg6167@reddit
It says self perceived and Greeks are generally high ego especially older more nationalist ones.
kostence@reddit
They don’t work. No stress.
Flamingo244@reddit
Greece is ranked as the most stressed country in Europe and Greece has the longest average working week in Europe
Confirmed-Scientist@reddit
SELF-PERCEIVED HEALTH. AHAHHAAHAH. Yeah right. I would argue 60% of the population here knows jack shit about healthy living smoking, clubbing and excessive alcochol consumption is rampant here. Some people also dont exercise at all and have the Pro Max health destruction combo. Obese + smoking + no exercise + regular alcochol consumption. If you ask them though they will they are 100% healthy.
Fancy-Sherbet8787@reddit
Optimism
MeanEmployee2576@reddit
Olive oil, not sunflower oil.
XenophonSoulis@reddit
I love how the map has a small window to the side for Liechtenstein, only to show that it has no data.
muformoon@reddit
Eu money
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Portugal? 👀
Infamous_Reporter_71@reddit
They are in debt and have nothing to eat?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
That's so 2013 coded ❤️🩹
DahKrow@reddit
Because gyros is cleaner than doner
IndigoRed33@reddit
They are not..
The key here is "self-perceived", hence its based on how healthy those people perceive themselves to be and not neccessarily the reality of their situation.
If you were to look up the different stats on say, bmi, physical activity, illnesses etc, you'd find that Greece rly isnt among the top healthy countries in either Europe or the whole World. With this, i'm also not trying to claim that greeks are "unhealthy" just that they arent "healthier compared to other Balkaners" as you appear to assume.
BeatnologicalMNE@reddit
They smoke so much that smoking kills everything else but not Greeks? :D
International-Bar151@reddit
they dont give a shit about life stuff they just ask moma germany money and dont give back chillest guys in balkan and Mediterranean
tabulasomnia@reddit
simply because they've been in the eu the longest.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Greece entered 5 years earlier than Portugal, the difference is HUGE. So it has nothing to do with the EU.
Calm-Explanation-353@reddit
one of the dumbest thing i've read on reddit, struggling so hard to understand a simple concept, that's fucked up mate
tabulasomnia@reddit
portugal is in the balkans?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
You said it's due to the EU, and that's not the case obviously.
tabulasomnia@reddit
greece being in the eu longest explains the difference within the balkans. portugal isn't in the balkans.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
I don't get your point. So the EU isn't the reason, then what is your argument? Geography?
tabulasomnia@reddit
my point is eu is the reason greece is healthier than the other balkan countries. portugal isn't a balkan country, so they're not a part of this argument - for or against.
Dice8361@reddit
As the other commenter said, your point does not make sense. If you believe the EU is the deciding factor for health, then it would apply to Portugal as well. There must be other reasons, such as lifestyle, Healthcare, etc that make the Balkan region stand out that would warrant such a comparison.
DaDidko@reddit
not saying i agree with the person you are replying to but i do think you are misunderstanding them. I think what they are trying to say is:
"Many things determine health and longevity. since the balkans are pretty uniform Greece being in the EU longest must be a contributing factor. Since Portugal isn't in the Balkans, they aren't doing all the same things as us so we can't compare ourselves to them as they might be doing something to cancel out or mitigate the EU benefit to health"
I think being in the EU is a contributing factor, but I don't think its as big as the original commentor thinks. I think greeks just eat more veggies and fish and drink less alcohol and eat less pork than other balkaners.
tabulasomnia@reddit
this was my point, yes.
Dice8361@reddit
So you agree with what I said, and disagree with the commenter.
DaDidko@reddit
I think I mostly agree with you, i don't think there is a single deciding factor, but rather multiple factors. I think being in the EU the longest contributes less than that guy thinks, but is still a big contributor.
Dice8361@reddit
Thats literally what I was suggesting to hin. You do agree with me.
DaDidko@reddit
Ahh then I guess i do agree with you, it wasn't clear to me that's what you were saying
Jujux@reddit
WTF is going on in Portugal? Don't they have a similar diet to that of the Southern European countries?
Antti5@reddit
I think broadly similar, but I've heard that they tend to eat more meat and very sweet pastries, so essentially more plain sugar.
Also the Portuguese of 2020s are quite sedentary, some of the more over-weight populations of Europe.
They smoke less than the Balkans, so it's not that.
floare_salbatica@reddit
Maybe they eat too much pastry. Their pastries have a strong Arab influence and are intoxicatingly sweet. Because other than that I ate pretty healthy stuff when I visited.
FeelTheKetasy@reddit
Don’t they also have a huge issue with alcoholism and smoking tho?
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with Portugal.
Fresh-Daikon-6289@reddit
I think it is mostly from "self perceived health" part
NorthVilla@reddit
This is kind of a stupid chart.
Perceived Health:
Denmark 🇩🇰 56.4% 😄
Portugal 🇵🇹 19.1% 🤒
Life Expectancy
Denmark 🇩🇰 82 😅
Portugal 🇵🇹 82.4 😳
🤨🤨🤨🧐🧐🧐
Kaamos_666@reddit
Life span and health span are two different things but yes, this much of a radical difference should have also reflected to the life span.
Sea-Machine-8989@reddit
Could be that Denmark does a lot to accommodate elderly people in ways that makes them still able to keep doing what they've always done without having their age and all that comes with it be a limiting factor.
SituationRoyal6535@reddit
"People aged 65+ with good self-perceived health."
It's a tradition in Croatia to always complain about your health when you hit a certain age, so that's an important factor.
Eastern_Weather_8748@reddit
Other Balkan have Turkish genes due to Ottoman rapes. So lower IQ and life choices.
Also Greeks are way more lazy than the rest. No competition on that front. Night and day. No stress means long life. If shit goes wrong , rest of Europe bails them out.
Best and healthy food of course Greek.
Sorry_Ball_9413@reddit
Not in Turkey or the Balkans.
TheFace5@reddit
EU
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
No, look at Portugal.
TheFace5@reddit
Portugal is still a better place to than Bulgaria
Conscious_County3208@reddit
The Sun. It keeps our souls childish no matter the age.
The mountains. The 80% of Greece is mountains and many old people live in mountainish villages, where the altitude and the clean air among the forests keep people healthy
The diet. Many Greek people have their own garden (we call it mpaxtse) where they plant tomatos, onions, beans, cucumbers, etc and generally the access to heaqlthy raw products is enormous. The same with eggs, cheese, olives, oil, meat, honey, in Greece you can healthy raw products for your entire life without a lot of effort. Also the meals themselves are of top quality (meditarrenean cousine)
Relaxation. No matter the financial and other situations, Greeks keep a stoic and relaxing attitude for life and this is translated to luck of stress, more humor, etc in the daily life. They do not take thing seriously and there are no 1000s rules for everything and everywhere
Maximus_Dominus@reddit
“Self perceived”. This is not an actual study, but just a survey asking people what they think.
rogomatic@reddit
Self-perceived health...
Tasteless12@reddit
For Turkish people, I would say, it is their working life. These people work so much
Haunting-Watch8240@reddit
You too would perceive your life as being much better if you lived in beautiful, Sun-kissed Greece, than dreary Latvia.
UCanBdoWatWeWant2Do@reddit
"self perceived"
Greek_Bodybuilder995@reddit
From what my Turkish doctor friend tells me from her experience in Turkey before she came to Germany, Turkey does not have the same health and safety regulations we have in the EU, which means that autoimmune diseases in Turkey have increased. HOWEVER, pretty much half the continent - and half the EU - have similar problems in spite of regulations. Even in Greece, what this graphic does not indicate is just how high child obesity rate are in Greece compared to the rest of Europe - in this aspect, we compete directly with the UK.
Royal_Cookie_043@reddit
The Mediterranean diet and not having lived through socialism lol
casual_philosopher02@reddit
it is just the diet and pharma, we were dying much earlier pre 80s
Clean_Palpitation_91@reddit
What about Portugal?
StPauliPirate@reddit
Turks are insanely addicted to bread
SweetUf@reddit
Butter same as olive oil is healthy, but breat and rice are not. That explains their bad health.
freddo_expresso@reddit (OP)
That is interesting, I noticed how common white bread was in Turkey when I visited. It was not of particular quality, it seemed more industrially produced so I suppose you guys need it it's not just a delicacy.
Greeks love bread as well, but we only buy it from local bakeries and never industrially produced, there is a very notable difference from Turkish bread.
TurkOmbre@reddit
Sun, good weather, good food, better economy, sea.
Studies suggest that good weather and the sea promote a better life expectancy, as does the Mediterranean diet.
albinoslugg@reddit
self perceived health doesn't equal actual health.
turkish people love complaining about their health, even if they are healthy. when they 50, they act like life is over lol
Sheb1995@reddit
It's "self-perceived", lol, this doesn't really tell us much in terms of actual health statistics.
PckMan@reddit
It says "self perceived" so it doesn't really mean much.
Spiritual-Can2604@reddit
Olive oil
Playful-Rope1590@reddit
They eat less burek and pite!
sidorf2@reddit
turkey is the most obese country in eu maybe thats why
ivo_sotirov@reddit
My guess is that standard of living is simply higher. Most turks and Balkaner don’t have greek level salaries, although we’re catching up.
Elmalukat@reddit
Their salaries are pretty low
ivo_sotirov@reddit
Minimum salary in Greece is ~€900, while in Bulgaria it’s ~€600
DragonflyOwn5617@reddit
Romania and Bulgaria significantly outnumber Greece in local purchasing power
floare_salbatica@reddit
Yeah, but this is only a recent thing.
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
Turkish salaries are much higher than Greek salaries today when adjusted for purchasing power.
FatefulDonkey@reddit
Feta cheese. Is Zeus cum in plasma form. We eat it daily
Any_Table9811@reddit
Lol it’s called delusion.
Justanotherbastard2@reddit
Quality of life drives health. Affluence, lack of stress, good social connections. Happy people take care of themselves, exercise and eat healthy.
Superb_Decision323@reddit
Because they do not work
Moooooooola@reddit
Vitamin D, olive oil and seafood.
True-Blacksmith4235@reddit
Don’t know for other countries, but Serbia is like number one in smoking, so that will get you sick, if not cancer, then other chronic diseases that can accompany it.
freya_sinclair@reddit
i have a friend who spend like 400e per month on cigarettes, he's the biggest hypchondiac, especially about his heart and blood pressure, but dude doesn't want to stop smoking
magnificent_wts@reddit
400 can't be a real number here
True-Blacksmith4235@reddit
Yeah, I don’t understand how he manages to spend that amount on cigarettes.
freya_sinclair@reddit
well, maybe i over calculated haha, i guess its more like 350e because he spends 40 000rsd per month on cigarettes he smokes A LOT
True-Blacksmith4235@reddit
My aunt has been smoking since she was a young girl, but every time she catches a cold and starts coughing, she is getting desperate, before even getting a diagnosis and going to the doctor.
She (mostly) switched to electric cigarettes, but i think she smokes both lol.
Istar10n@reddit
Well, it's self-reported and it misses a bunch of Balkan countries.
If it's true, at least compared to Romania, I think the reasons would be: less alcohol consumption, better diet, better public healthcare system (I have no idea what it's like in Greece, but it's well known to be be one of the worst parts about Romania).
ThickCaterpillar9867@reddit
Self perceived wealth😂😂😂
Yavannia@reddit
What's the point of a self-perceived health report? It basically says nothing.
Timalakeseinai@reddit
same as "self perceived" poverty etc
KaleidoscopeFar8190@reddit
Because we have erdoganopoulus, he saps away our will to live.
bluecoldwhiskey@reddit
He will be gone soon .
Radiant_Put_3609@reddit
I dont think so. But i hope you are right.
FlakyContribution345@reddit
Higher IQ
Radusili@reddit
I wonder if these is the classic "I can't work boss, I have bad leg!"
Or people actually aware that the only form if movement they to is going from the couch to the car and back on work days.
tegridypatato@reddit
Less stress I assume. I live in turkey and day to day life is extremely stressful.
huggugu@reddit
No difference o thin
3 4 years nothing.
ComedianChance6715@reddit
It’s warmer in Greece so they don’t die from draft in the rooms. We’re all aware that it’s the greatest threat to a balkan life 😅
RichDream7777@reddit
Greeks tend to have most of their meals homemade because that's how we are used to do, plus it's financially better than ordering from restaurants or fast food.
Greek cuisine is mostly healthy.
Even if people go outside to eat, most restaurants even fast food restaurants are clean enough.
The past 10 years Greeks tend to have a more western way of living as per unhealthy habits. They don't smoke a lot (I know lots of smokers who now have quit smoking or smoke a lot less than their usual), they don't drink too much (especially drivers because police now is very strict about drinking and driving).
PasicT@reddit
Olive oil definitely.
0ld_Snake@reddit
Olive oil vs. grease diff
FlyingCars2027@reddit
Smoking is probably one. With gigantic chemical industrial cities, I’d imagine Turkey must have a lot more cancer cases.
huggugu@reddit
Bro we carry, look after our elders. Greek needs to take care them self. You are reading wrong the istatistics
magnificent_wts@reddit
Why are greek cunts asking "why are we better in this aspect" so frequent here. Eat shit
PVanchurov@reddit
Self perceived health... Cool... Now do the self reported dick size.
Putrid_Speed_5138@reddit
Self-report surveys can be misleading. Perception in such issues is heavily affected by culture, so you can't compare two countries accurately.
There are better measures for objective comparions, such as life expectancy (where Greece has a slight lead) amd healthcare system (where Turkey has a slight lead).
Overall, there isn't much difference between Balkan states regarding the health of their citizens.
You should also consider the regional variance inside a country. For instance, Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region has an average life expectancy which is almost same with Greece, while its southeast is much lower.
DrawerJealous@reddit
This stems from the nature of Turkish cuisine. Although it's not normally that unhealthy, the use of cheap and unhealthy ingredients like margarine due to economic reasons prevents quality aging.
Opposite-Mind1143@reddit
I can tell you that i have never seen old people or even people at their 40s eating chocolates or other snacks, when i visited countries in the west. Old people were eating chips, chocolate and other bullshit that my parents would not even think of eating
Glad_Sky_3664@reddit
Strong sperm
Twedred@reddit
The key word here is ‘self-perceived.’ Turks tend to be quite pessimistic and prone to complaining
LizardmanJoe@reddit
As opposed to all other Balkans, they are all rays of sunshine and rainbows.
OverallACoolGuy@reddit
no erdogan
nobody1568@reddit
We're not. Self-perceived health doesn't equal health.
Mestintrela@reddit
In Greece you have to do your best to stay alive so you can feed your chidren and grandchildren with your retirement money. Even if you are dead, you will be perceived as alive (by the state) if needed. Only half kidding.
dr_prdx@reddit
Olive oil and movement.
Double-Aide-6711@reddit
They are much more into the Mediterranean diet
Annual_Jackfruit2892@reddit
My take on this is people have more personal freedom, more vegetables less meat in the culture. Many are not wealthy but still live ok, and the sea is almost in reach for everyone. Balkans may vary with these and Turkey I think is the most stressful place to live, don't get me wrong I like Turkey as a tourist but it would probably be very difficult to grow up there because of how strictly society functions. My Turkish friends seem to all have had enough.
Elmalukat@reddit
Not all the balkans are included so we don’t know.
Usually Albania and to an extent MNE are good when it comes to diet , health and life expectancy
ChroniclesOfAzazel@reddit
"Self-perceived health" may not match actual health.
I'm not sure which, if any, conclusions you can draw from this map in regards to actual health - but I'm not the smartest guy, so maybe someone else can.
FantasticQuartet@reddit
Lots of Greek salad and a better health system.
FuckTheCake@reddit
This is self-perceived
the_reeee@reddit
Most cant even afford meat here.
Gee, i wonder why?
PickaLiTiMaterina@reddit
“self-perceived health” ffs