Healthy or Not

A study in last week's Archives of Internal Medicine found that a "paltry number of Americans maintain the four basic healthy lifestyle characteristics (HLCs).

• eating well
• refraining from smoking
• exercising regularly
• maintaining a healthy weight

Out of 153,000 only 3% maintained all four HLCs. Within the individual HLCs, 76% of participants were nonsmokers, 40.1% maintained a healthy weight, 23.3% ate five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, and only 22.2% said they exercised for at least 30 minutes five or more times a week.

The researchers conclude that the biggest reason many Americans do not lead healthy lifestyles is the “‘current cultural norm’ to live unhealthy lives,” adding that many people “lack information about the dangers of unhealthy habits.” The study also notes that many Americans do not get enough exercise because they live in areas “more conducive to driving everywhere than walking or biking.”

The researchers say the findings are troublesome because previous research has found that following the four HLCs can “add years to your life, slash medical expenses, cut your risk of heart disease, and generally improve your quality of life.”


Healthy lifestyle characteristics among adults in the United States, 2000. Arch Intern Med. 2005 Apr 25;165(8):854-7.