Teachers have better cardiovascular health than the rest of the population, but more psychosomatic disorders, according to a study in Germany.
As France celebrates its very first “Teachers’ Day”, a study looks back on the health of teachers in a neighboring country, Germany. According to the results of this work published in the journal Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, these teachers would have better cardiovascular health, but more psychosomatic disorders than the rest of the population.
Sporty and depressed
Thus, the authors note that, on average, German teachers have good physical activity. 75% practice a sport or physical activity, against 66% in the general population. They have fewer obesity problems (13%, versus 23%) and smoke relatively little (14%, versus 30%).
On the other hand, they are more likely to report suffering from psychosomatic problems, such as disturbed sleep and attention, chronic pain, fatigue and irritability. And this is directly affected by the rate of absenteeism and sick leaves linked to stress, which is higher than in other professions.
A bad image ?
In France, surveys and polls do not reveal anything else about the morale of teachers. Last summer, the SOS Education association published a survey of 600 teachers, citing a “historic crisis” in the sector. More than half (54%) of secondary school teachers surveyed by the Ipsos Institute said they had experienced burnout at least once in their career.
Overall, it is a profession that feels unloved and little valued. So the Parisian recalls this Saturday the results of a survey conducted last spring by the union Unsa Education, where only 36% of secondary school teachers and 28% of school teachers said they felt recognition and respect in their professional practice.
However, the daily also publishes a poll conducted by Opinion Way, which shows that two-thirds of respondents (66%) have a positive image of professors and teachers. What to cheer them up!
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