Live a Longer Life
New Report Gives Answer
A new CDC report finds that people can live longer if they practice one or more healthy lifestyle behaviors- not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Four health risk behaviors-lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption-are responsible for much of the illness and death related to chronic diseases reported each year.
Seven out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases.
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Heart disease, cancer, and stroke account for more than 50 percent of all deaths each year.
People who engaged in all four healthy behaviors were 66 percent less likely to die early from cancer, 65 percent less likely to die early from cardiovascular disease, and 57 percent less likely to die early from other causes compared to people who did not engage in any of the healthy behaviors.
What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and Longer Life:
Avoid Excessive Alcohol Use:
• Drink alcohol in moderation (men should have no more than two drinks per day; and women no more than one drink per day).
Avoid Tobacco:
If you do not smoke, don't start.
• If you currently smoke, and want to quit, call 1-800-Quit-Now, a free telephone support service that can help you to stop smoking or using tobacco.
Improve Nutrition:
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood.
• Eat fewer foods with sodium (salt), saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and refined grains.
Engage in Physical Activity:
• Participate in moderate intensity physical activity 5 or more days per week (150 minutes), such as brisk walking, or
• Practice vigorous physical activity 3 or more days per week (75 minutes) such as jogging or race walking.
For more information visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/LiveLonger/.
