Americans are fatter and more depressed, but are choosing better health behaviors

Americans are growing older, fatter, and more depressed, but we’re also choosing good health behaviors, such as eating fruits and vegetables, getting flu shots and cancer screenings, and wearing seatbelts, according to a new national health report card.  The bi-annual 2009 PRC National Health Report - 1995-2008 Detailed Findings surveyed 1,000 American adults from across the nation on health issues based on the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and other public health surveys. As expected, the clearest and most alarming trend is the growing number of Americans who are overweight or obese. Currently, 67.4% of adults nationwide are overweight (with a body mass index of 25 or higher). In 1995, it was 50%. The prevalence of obese Americans (29% of Americans have a BMI value of 30 or higher) has nearly doubled since it was first measured in 1995 (14.7%). At-risk groups include lower-income adults, African-Americans, and adults aged 40 to 64.  A big contributor to the obesity crisis is sedentary lifestyles. In 2008, nearly 29% of Americans reported no leisure-time physical activities in the month before the interview, the highest proportion recorded since this survey question was first asked in 1995.  The report also found that Americans are facing higher barriers to accessing healthcare services.

HealthLeader Media by John Commins June 25, 2009

Tags: Behaviors, Depressed, Fatter, Industry News & Competitive Intelligence, Lifestyles, Obesity, Older