Depending on the statistical method used, estimates on how many people die from being obese or overweight range from 25,000 to 365,000 a year. And according to a report, only 3 percent of Americans follow health advice to:
But one thing's for sure: People who eat right, exercise and do not smoke are far less likely to develop heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic and deadly conditions. So why aren't more people jumping on the bandwagon?
Using data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System -- an annual survey of the nation's health -- researchers looked at surveys completed by some 154,000 adults. And the surveys said:
Taking Action to Improve America's Health
A senior clinical nutritionist from New York City explained the dire need for people to be educated on what is healthy and how to incorporate it into their daily lives.
So, along that vein, several U.S. organizations have been attempting to improve America's health: The U.S. Agriculture Department, for example, recently replaced the old food pyramid with a new and improved one, emphasizing exercise with a figure climbing up stairs. The Internet-based advisory, MyPyramid, for the new graphic was designed to tailor nutritional advice to each individual's needs; however, critics argue the site is difficult to navigate.
In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tried to warn of the consequences of poor eating and a lack of exercise, but has been hampered by debate over mortality statistics.
So what is the fate of America's health? Only time will tell.
Archives of Internal Medicine, April 25, 2005;165(8):854-857
MSNBC April 26, 2005
Forbes.com April 25, 2005
I was quite surprised to see that only 3 percent of the U.S. population is abiding by these simple guidelines. My guess is that we might have 10 percent to 20 percent of you reading this article who are following the guidelines. I know I am following them. However, the vast majority of those in this country are exchanging convenience for their health -- and paying a huge price in losing their health.
The newest food pyramid, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a step in the right direction but still needs plenty of revision.
Even though there has been a slight improvement in the amount of fruits and vegetables Americans eat, a good deal of people remain ignorant as to which foods are truly beneficial.
Additionally, studies that provide information on vegetable intake typically include corn and potatoes in this category. Neither of these foods, being high in carbohydrates and fairly new additions to the human diet, provide much benefit at all toward health. In fact, corn isn't even a vegetable -- it's a grain. It is still amazing that a large number of Americans consider French fries a vegetable serving.
Additionally, be aware that the common phrase "eat more fruits and vegetables" would serve you better if it was limited to just "eat more vegetables." Many fruits, even though they are a much better choice than what most Americans eat, are still high in sugar. Most of them could virtually be eliminated and you could still be quite healthy, as long as you continued to eat vegetables.
Vegetables provide you with nutrients and good carbohydrates you need, but the amount and type your body requires depends on your nutritional type. There is a basic test available here to find out what type you are.
Carbohydrate nutritional types tend to need far more vegetables in their diets than protein nutritional types. One of the easiest ways to fulfill your vegetable intake is through regularly consuming vegetable juice.
Keep these thoughts in mind when you read the government's new diet and lifestyle guidelines, which are still a welcomed step in the right direction.
Also, if you're wondering whether diet is more important than exercise, or vice-versa, I urge you to read an article I ran that shows how both can greatly contribute to optimizing your health.
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