Just 3% of Americans...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Just 3% of Americans...
22
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 8:32am
This was in the Washington Post today that just 3% of Americans follow guidelines to exercise, eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, not smoke. I can't believe it's just 3%!

Jean,






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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 8:36am
How did they determine that figure? I don't believe it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 8:43am
It was based on a survey done by 153,000 Americans. They said 76% did not smoke.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 9:24am
i believe it. how many of us gym rats even meet the guidelines? i don't - i don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. it's nearly impossible to meet the fruit and vegetable guidelines!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2003
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 10:02am

Wow! Well, I definitely don't smoke, and I try to exercise as much as possible, but with grad school, it's sometimes difficult to find the time, and more importantly, the ENERGY to do so. That's what I miss about college- built-in dance classes. And just working last year- I could afford and had time to go to tkd 4 times a week.

I try to eat fruits and veggies every day, and while I manage to have at least some, maybe I don't get 7 servings every day...who knows, I'm probably out of the 3% just on those facts, even though I'm definitely in the small pool of Americans who are actually healthy, weight-wise and otherwise.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 11:18am

Well I'm not American, but the Canadian statistics are pretty similar from what I've read...

But I do eat at least 5 servings a day (usually aim for 9), don't smoke, work out 6x/week usually for 60-90 minutes and my BMI is around 20.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 11:37am
I wonder how honest people are about that.





iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 11:41am
Yeah, but I've seen some studies where they count french fries as a vegetable (potato) and fried ocra and candied yams, etc.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 11:46am
That's true.





iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 7:19am
I take it back. After having a conversation with my MIL, I believe this statistic probably is true. My MIL is 53 years old and is facing the possibility of needing a hip replacement, AT 53! She has developed arthritis in her hip and I told her that since it's just starting she may be able to avoid the hip problems if she made some lifestyle changes. BUT SHE WOULD RATHER ENDURE THE PAIN AND FACE SURGERY THAN GIVE UP HER "GOOD EATIN'" She is wearing her hip out with all of the extra weight and the greasy, trans-fatty, sugary, etc. crap she eats can't help. On top of that, she told me about a tickle in her throat that she couldn't get rid of. When I suggested that she should drink some water, she admitted that she never drinks water. She lives on Sprite. I wonder how many Americans actually drink the minimal daily requirement of 64oz of water a day? I don't know very many people who do.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 8:07am
There was an article in Newsweek a while ago about all the new medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol.





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