Marienkron fasting survey 2024: how Austria fasts

Kurhaus Marienkron captures the annual sentiment on health, nutrition and fasting

• Top 3 health goals for 2024: healthier eating, time in nature, sleep
• Fasting remains a trend: half of Austrians plan to fast in 2024
• Fasting follow-through: one in two Austrians set a fasting goal in 2023 – one third actually followed through
• Diet in Austria is meat-heavy: only 7.5% eat vegetarian or vegan
• Intermittent fasting boom: the 16:8 method remains the best-known and most tried form of fasting
• Diets are popular: more than half of Austrians have diet experience
• Feared yo-yo effect: 7 out of 10 Austrians have experienced this common side-effect of dieting
• Effects of rising costs: 5 out of 10 Austrians say higher living costs will influence their nutrition and health behavior

Download fasting survey PDF

Mönchhof, 1 January 2024. For the fifth year in a row, Kurhaus Marienkron examines the eating and fasting habits of Austrians. The latest “Marienkron fasting survey” offers insights into personal resolutions and motives as well as the health and economic aspects of deliberate abstinence. Alongside fasting as a short-term intervention for lifestyle change, this year’s focus includes diets as a method of weight reduction.

Health resolutions for 2024: healthier eating, time in nature, sleep

In the current survey, Austrians were asked about their health and nutrition resolutions: the top answer is “healthier, more mindful eating” (45.8%), closely followed by “(more) time in nature” (45.2%) and “sufficient sleep” (42%). Respondents also plan to reduce stress (41.7%)—especially younger adults (18–39). Doing (more) sport (40.5%) and attending regular health checks and screenings (26.7%) are also on the list. About one in six intend to smoke less or quit (16.5%), with men more likely than women to name this goal.

Half of Austrians plan to fast in 2024

Fasting remains a hot topic: according to the survey, one in two Austrians plans fasting days or a fasting retreat this year—whether as occasional fasting days, intermittent fasting, during the traditional fasting season, or with professional support at a fasting center. Nine out of ten people (92.5%) who fasted in 2023 intend to continue in 2024. A quarter of those who did not fast in 2023 are motivated to try it this year (26.5%). “Fasting has seen a renaissance in recent years as more scientific studies demonstrate its broad effectiveness. Evidence suggests benefits for metabolic and intestinal diseases, high blood pressure, inflammatory conditions and other chronic diseases. At the same time, the spectrum of fasting techniques has expanded,” reports Prof. Dr. Andreas Michalsen, Professor of Clinical Naturopathy at Charité Berlin and Head of Internal Medicine and Naturopathy at Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, who advises Kurhaus Marienkron.

One third implemented their fasting plans in 2023

Looking back, 53.1% set a fasting goal for 2023, and 35.2% actually followed through. The most popular approach was single fasting days (21.6%), followed by a multi-day fasting retreat (8.4%) and multiple multi-day retreats per year (5.1%). The average fasting duration increased from 14.8 days (2022) to 19.5 days (2023). Key motives were cleansing and detoxification (46.2%), general well-being (41.6%) and weight loss (35.8%). 22.5% fasted “as health prevention,” and 17.3% aimed to strengthen their immune system—especially women (24.1% vs. 11.1% of men).

Reasons against fasting are varied: one in three considers fasting days “not meaningful,” 22.6% have not engaged with the topic enough (especially men), 21.7% lacked motivation, 18.5% did not want to forgo enjoyment, and 6% felt they simply “couldn’t stick with it.”

7.5 percent eat vegetarian or vegan

The survey also looked at current eating patterns: similar to last year, the picture remains meat-forward. “Mixed diet with little meat” is preferred by 55.8%, while 36.5% opt for “mixed diet with a lot of meat”—men still eat more meat than women. 7.5% report a vegetarian or vegan diet.

A closer look shows: 50.7% pay attention to adequate hydration, 47.7% value “mostly home-cooked meals,” 37.5% consume no or little alcohol, 34.2% mainly use regional products, and 32.2% mainly seasonal products. One in ten says they “don’t pay attention to anything” (11%). For 10.6%, a protein-rich diet is important.

Intermittent fasting boom continues

Around two thirds have tried at least one type of fasting. Intermittent fasting remains by far the best known (58.7%)—ahead of therapeutic fasting, soup fasting and juice fasting. 70.2% have tried some form of fasting; for 36.8% it was intermittent fasting, also known as the 16:8 method. “Intermittent fasting supports autophagy—the cellular ‘clean-up’ process. The extended rest phase eases the digestive system and allows the body to regenerate. Gut feeling and sleep often improve surprisingly quickly,” explains Dr. Ulrike Göschl, Marienkron’s Medical Director. “Our guests experience the three-meal rhythm very positively, as it typically goes hand in hand with a lifestyle shift toward healthier, more mindful eating.”

The importance of enjoyment

Half of Austrians are open to fasting and can at least imagine a multi-day retreat. “Our survey shows that for those interested in fasting, the most important aspect is that fasting dishes taste good. This is relevant for nine out of ten people, as in the previous year. We responded by developing our vegetable sushi fasting option—offered within our fasting retreats as a particularly flavorful variant, and it has been received enthusiastically,” says Elke Müller, who manages Kurhaus Marienkron. With a science-based “fasting with enjoyment” concept, the aim is also to reach people who currently cannot imagine a fasting retreat. According to the survey, 22.4% could be persuaded to fast “if they didn’t have to give up enjoyment.”

Compared to last year, interest in professional guidance has increased: 66.5% (vs. 59.7%) would like medical support during fasting, and 60.6% (vs. 54.9%) are interested in complementary treatments/therapies. “Based on these findings, we have already adapted our fasting packages. From 2024 onward, medical and dietetic support will be further intensified to individualize fasting and any necessary therapy units,” notes Managing Director Elke Müller.

“Fasting is not a diet”

More than half (54%) believe fasting leads to weight loss. Fasting and nutrition expert Dr. Göschl clarifies: “Fasting can spark motivation for healthier, more mindful eating and thereby support long-term weight reduction. But fasting itself is not a weight-loss diet; it’s a short-term intervention for maintaining health and initiating lifestyle change for a maximum of two weeks. Sustainable weight loss comes from long-term changes in diet and daily habits—ideally supported by experts such as dietitians or physicians.”

Because weight loss is a major topic, Kurhaus Marienkron included “diet” in the survey for the first time. The results: more than half of Austrians (52.7%) have tried to lose weight via a diet—62% of women and 43.3% of men. “We see growing demand for professional, interdisciplinary support—physically and mentally—when losing weight, and will expand our offerings accordingly,” says Managing Director Elke Müller.

Top diet among Austrians: “eat half”

Among those aged 40–75, “eat half,” food combining, WeightWatchers and the cabbage soup diet are especially well known. Younger people are more familiar with low-carb, ketogenic and paleo diets. Four in ten Austrians (40.7%) have tried to lose weight with “eat half.” A quarter (24.6%) have tried low-carb, and 18.3% food combining. One in five women has tried the cabbage soup diet.

Yo-yo effect as an unwelcome companion

Almost everyone has heard of the yo-yo effect (95.3%); 82.7% know exactly what it means—89.4% of women and 76% of men. Among those with diet experience, 68.7% have personally experienced it. “The yo-yo effect is the rebound weight gain after a diet. It can be avoided by combining an achievable dietary change with more daily activity and a lasting increase in basal and activity energy expenditure,” explains Dr. Göschl.

How rising costs affect nutrition and fasting plans

Half (51.1%) say price increases will influence their fasting plans, diet or health goals. About a quarter (24.4%) plan to buy fewer expensive healthy foods or avoid them altogether—more women (32.5%) than men (16.1%). Due to higher prices, 15.3% intend to buy fewer organic products or avoid them, rising to 26.6% among Gen Z (born 1994–2010).

About the Marienkron fasting survey

The fifth Marienkron fasting survey was conducted 27 Nov–4 Dec 2023 among 509 people (representative of Austria’s population) aged 18–75 (50% female, 50% male). Commissioned by Kurhaus Marienkron and carried out online by market research institute Marketagent, the survey focused on attitudes toward fasting, experiences with fasting and diets, the impact of rising prices on fasting and health behavior, and health and nutrition resolutions. The survey has been conducted annually for five years.