Hungarians are becoming more active – but are they paying more attention to what they eat as well?

Physical activity is becoming an increasingly important part of everyday life for many Hungarians, but a healthy lifestyle does not end with exercise. According to a recent survey, people who exercise regularly are not only more active but also tend to make more conscious dietary choices, while most Hungarians still struggle with snacking and irregular eating habits.

According to a representative survey[1] conducted jointly by Nestlé and SPAR, 75% of Hungarians aged 18-65 take part in some form of sport or exercise. Many are highly active: 38% of respondents exercise at least three times a week, while a further 23% work out once or twice weekly. The findings also reveal significant differences in motivation by age and gender. For the youngest age group, improving performance, pushing personal limits and making time for themselves are the main drivers. People in their thirties are primarily motivated by the mental wellbeing benefits of exercise, while for those aged over 50, maintaining good health is by far the strongest incentive. Overall, women are most commonly motivated by weight management and body shaping, whereas men are more likely to be driven by personal improvement, achieving results and enhancing performance.

Running’s popularity lies in its simplicity

It is no surprise that running ranks among the most popular forms of exercise, alongside walking, cycling and home workouts. Its appeal is largely down to its flexibility: 65% of respondents said one of its greatest advantages is that it can be done almost anywhere, while 62% highlighted how easy it is to fit into their daily routine. For many, running provides not only physical exercise but also an important source of mental wellbeing.

Running and jogging are particularly popular among 18–39-year-olds, although their appeal declines significantly after the age of 50. Among those who exercise at least three times a week, running is especially common. Nearly one-third of regular exercisers run, and the same proportion have taken part in at least one organised running event. This is particularly significant, as international research[2] has shown that people who have a race or event to train for are generally more committed and better able to stick to both their training plans and broader lifestyle goals.

Good health depends on more than just exercise

The survey found that only 5% of Hungarians follow what could be described as a genuinely health-conscious diet. Meanwhile, 10% do not eat any vegetables on a typical day, and 14% consume no fruit at all. Most respondents, however, eat vegetables or fruit once or twice a day. More conscious consumption of fruit and vegetables is most strongly associated with running, gym-based workouts, and activities such as yoga and Pilates.

Sport can be the first step towards more mindful and balanced nutrition. People who exercise regularly are more likely to believe that regular physical activity and mindful nutrition go hand in hand. Interestingly, Generation Z is less likely to see this as self-evident. The biggest pitfalls in Hungarians’ eating habits continue to be snacking, sugary and fatty foods, and irregular eating patterns.

But how much do we actually know about health-conscious nutrition that supports physical activity? According to the survey findings, not that much: although half of the respondents consider themselves well informed on the subject, 37 percent feel particularly uncertain, and even among those who exercise regularly, one in three feels there is still more to learn.

“Regular physical activity is inconceivable without a balanced diet: adequate nutrient intake plays an important role not only in improving sports performance, but also in achieving lifestyle goals and supporting recovery. At the same time, our research also highlights that there is still room for education on the fundamentals of Hungarians’ eating habits, as mindful nutrition is one of the most important pillars of a health-focused lifestyle. At Nestlé, we are committed to helping consumers develop a balanced diet by providing credible information, and this year, together with SPAR, we also aim to encourage them to engage in regular physical activity, as both are essential for maintaining good health in the long term,” said Lili Fülöp, dietitian at Nestlé.

The Community Gets You Moving

The survey findings also clearly show that more and more people see sport not as a one-off challenge or a seasonal resolution, but as a fundamental component of everyday wellbeing, mental balance and long-term health.

This shift in mindset is the foundation of the 12-week campaign by Nestlé and SPAR, which aims to help as many people as possible find a form of physical activity they can sustain and provide support from the very first steps through to achieving their goals. Whether the goal is to complete one of the distances at the 41st SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival in October or simply to lead a more active everyday life, the campaign’s free online publication offers training plans for beginners and more experienced participants, nutritional advice from a dietitian and practical tips to help make physical activity and more mindful eating a natural part of everyday life.

“Physical activity truly becomes part of our everyday lives when it also provides enjoyment and a sense of community. SPAR aims to support its customers through initiatives that both encourage a more active lifestyle and help them make more informed nutritional choices. We hope that the campaign and the collective kilometre challenge will inspire many people to commit to a health-conscious lifestyle at their own pace and for the long term,” said Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications at SPAR Magyarország.

For many people, sport is not only about individual achievement but also about the sense of community. The survey findings also show that 39 per cent of respondents consider friends and the community to be the most important source of motivation. The power of community also plays an important role in the campaign: one of the most exciting elements is a nationwide challenge in which participants can collect kilometres in a Strava club until the day of the 41st SPAR Budapest Marathon® Festival and together try to “run around” Hungary. The goal is to complete the nearly 2,246-kilometre distance as many times as possible by the start of the October marathon.