3 Percent of Americans Live a Healthy Lifestyle

A recent study by Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Community Health shows that a very small percentage of Americans are living a healthy lifestyle. Experts say a healthy lifestyle is dependent in part on four basics that help a person prevent and control chronic diseases: not smoking, controlling weight, eating a good diet, and getting physical activity.

By these measures, only three percent of Americans are living a healthy lifestyle.

The research examined data from surveys on 153,000 adults in all fifty states. Specifically, they looked at whether the subjects were eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and getting regular physical activity. The details:

• 76 percent did not smoke
• 40 percent maintained a healthy weight
• 23 percent ate five or more fruits and vegetables a day
• 22 percent get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 times per week

“These data, along with those that illustrate the benefit of following a healthy lifestyle, support the need for comprehensive primary prevention activities to increase healthy lifestyles and to reduce the prevalence of chronic risk factors.” – Archives of Internal Medicine

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