Poles who are fifty and over are in a worse physical and mental condition than other Europeans of their age, according to a new survey.

The survey carried out by SHARE, an independent, volunteer run association find sthat only eight percent of Polish men and 6 percent women say they are in excellent or good health. The rest complain of gastric problems, chronic coughing, arthritis and obesity. Depression is also a popular complaint.

Poles over 50 years old are not into sports. Only about 40 percent of men and 27 percent of women in that age group say they exercise regularly or are engaged in other forms of physical activity.

The average in the Netherlands, for instance, is 65 percent.

Less than 40 percent of fit and healthy Poles between 50 and 64 years of age work, compared with 80 percent in Sweden. Volunteer and charity work is not popular among retired Poles, either. Few lead a busy social life, says the SHARE report, which covered 45,000 people in 14 European countries. (kk)