Why do many Nieuwegeiners not live healthy enough?
There is no single reason for the unhealthy lifestyle of half of Nieuwegeiners. The municipality’s report identifies several possible causes. Nieuwegein, for example, has several ‘vulnerable’ neighborhoods, where financial worries and unemployment occur. “When multiple problems arise, people are often not mentally ready to work on their own health,” the municipality writes. The figures show that obesity is also more common in these neighborhoods.
For many residents, the barrier to exercise feels too high. “They often do not know how to find their own way to a neighborhood square,” according to the municipality. This may also be due to the high percentage of people with low literacy. About 16 percent of Nieuwegeiners have low literacy, compared to the national percentage of 11.9. “They often lack the skills to obtain and understand health information. They feel less healthy and often are.”