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Obesity on the rise, healthy habits falling
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A healthy lifestyle can greatly lower your disease risk. A recent study has found that many adults are heading in the wrong direction.
Researchers at the University of South Carolina compared five lifestyle habits in 40-74 year olds over 18 years. All five have strong links to cardiovascular disease: eating enough fruits and vegetables daily, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, moderate alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
Results, published in this month’s issue of The American Journal of Medicine, showed significant drops in almost all. Only smoking remained unchanged. Weight and alcohol use increased, while exercise and fruit & vegetable intake dropped.
In the last year reviewed (2006), only 1/4 of American’s were eating enough fruits & vegetables. At the same time, over ½ consume more alcohol than recommended. Add to this increasing obesity rates and a 10% drop in physical activity and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Researchers predict a rise in cardiovascular disease in adults in the coming years.
So how can you lower your risk? Start with the five habits above. It doesn’t have to be all or none, just pick one thing to start with. Eat a vegetable with dinner every night, bring a piece of fruit to work, or taking a walk in the evening. Once you adjust, try adding something else.
If you’re a smoker, talk to your doctor about ways to cut back or quit. When you go out, make every other drink alcohol free, like seltzer or soda, and set a limit for yourself.
Over time, small changes add up. You’ll improve your health, and all those changes will help you keep your weight under control too.
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