Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Healthy eating and regular exercise linked to fewer hospital stays
A study of 37,059 adults in South Korea found that people who ate well and exercised regularly were less likely to have been hospitalized.
Researchers analyzed national health survey data collected from 2014 to 2021 and compared participants’ habits with whether they had been hospitalized in the previous year.
Those who combined a high-quality diet with regular activity were 11% less likely to report a hospital stay than people with poorer diets who did not exercise regularly.
A high-quality diet meant eating enough foods such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains while limiting salt and sugar; regular activity meant at least 150 minutes a week of exercise that made a person breathe somewhat harder.
Having only one of the two habits showed no clear difference compared with doing neither.
The findings point to the value of addressing diet and exercise together, but they do not prove that these habits directly prevent hospital stays.
The researchers also said illness may have reduced some participants’ ability to be active.
Adults who combined a high-quality diet with regular physical activity were about 11% less likely to have been hospitalized in the previous year than adults who did neither.
The study analyzed data from 37,059 adults in South Korea.
Adults who followed only one of the two habits showed no clear difference in hospitalization compared with those who followed neither.
Researchers said the findings support addressing diet and physical activity together, but do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The study was published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports.
- Who
- Researchers from Seoul National University Hospital analyzed data from 37,059 adults.
- What
- The study found that combining a high-quality diet with regular physical activity was linked to about 11% lower odds of recent hospitalization.
- When
- The analysis used survey data from 2014 to 2021. The findings were reported on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The researchers examined how diet quality and physical activity were associated with hospitalization.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The study findings were reported by Yonhap.
- Participants
- 37,059 adults
- Combined habits
- High-quality diet and at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week
- Hospitalization association
- About 11% lower odds in the previous year
- Survey period
- 2014–2021
- Journal
- Preventive Medicine Reports
1 source
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