America is not technically the fattest country in the world, but ranks in the top-10 routinely. It's our addiction to junk food, fast food and sugary beverages that has our belts being loosened and sees our waist sizes expanding. Unsurprisingly, a new study has found that a meager 2.7% of Americans are leading a healthy lifestyle.
In a study that was conducted by Oregon State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a four-part system was used to determine whether or not someone's lifestyle habits were denigrating to their long term wellbeing. Metrics included: diet, exercise, BMI and smoking (not sure why alcohol was not also included).
Relying upon statistics from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers were able to determine that 97.3% out of 4,745 people surveyed failed to meet the requirements of a healthy lifestyle.
Researchers were liberal in their activity requirements, mandating that people had to have at least 150 minutes of activity per seven days. Researchers relied upon tracking systems like an accelerometer to determine activity and blood samples to track nicotine levels.
Out of all of the people in the study, just 11% were considered as unhealthy as possible, unable to meet any of the goals. 34% met one goal, while 37% met two goals and 16% met three. But the kicker was this: just 2.7% met all four of these goals.
Of all the participants, women were the likeliest to refrain from smoking, but they also failed at meeting their daily exercise goals. Older Americans had better diets and usually were not smokers, but still failed to meet exercise goals.
Experts recommend that in order to maintain optimal health you refrain from using tobacco products, consume alcohol and sugary beverages in moderation and eat a balanced diet that includes all four food groups.
Sure, enjoy a beer here and there. Suck down some junk food every once in a while. Smoke a cigar when a baby has arrived. But keep it all in check. Of course, assure that you have a standard workout or exercise routine that you stick to at least four days per week, too.
Follow these simple rules and you can say that you are living a healthy lifestyle. But for some reason, 97.3% of the population simply is unable or unwilling to do so.