Americans are information seekers, mainlining information from newspapers, television, and the internet. Americans tend to dwell on the celebrity gossip columns, sports statistics, and political information, but when it comes to information on our own health we seem to be clueless. Unfortunately our lack of information is showing. Do we need to be seeking more information or even placing it higher on our priority? The answer is a resounding yes.
In 2009 the American Diabetics Association said it had found that, “Less than 50% of diabetics know that diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease,” and that “58% were unaware it could be life threatening.” This means that more than half of the sufferers of diabetes are unaware of the serious risks related to the disease. This is a scary thought considering the steady rise in preventable cases of Diabetes over the past 5 years. Sadly, this is no longer just America’s problem, but it has become a global issue. Now, researchers are finding that 1 in 10 Chinese are dealing with diabetes. Another statistic published from the World Health Organization has found that obesity in Europe has tripled over the last two decades.
The recent debate of Health Care legislation has put a microscope on the nation’s health. The media has brought to light some interesting figures released by the Centers for Disease Control in 2009. They have found that “75% of healthcare spending now goes to treat preventative chronic diseases,” and over the last 20 years 30% of the increase in healthcare spending is due to the increase in obesity. For example the yearly average of a patient suffering from diabetic complications can reach $30,000. To add to this the American Diabetic Association figures, that “1 in 5 healthcare dollars” is spent on the treatment of diabetes and the complications that arise from it.
There is a solution to these unhealthy and grim trends, diabetes and obesity can be easily managed or reversed. By making small healthy changes to your diet and exercise we can re-plot the course we are on now. In 2009 a 7-year study of diabetic men “found that the fit diabetic men had a 75% lower death rate than the least fit.” This does not mean you have to spend all of your time exercising, just getting up and moving is key. Another study in 2009 found that, “high-intensity exercising (for) 7 ½ minutes a week fights diabetes.” The problem is that for most Americans our daily schedules have become sedentary; the fix is easy, getting out there and doing it seems to be the problem.
Making small changes to your diet can lead to big changes in your overall health. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), during the past 20 years “there has been a 38% drop in the number of Americans who eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day” however, if Americans eat 3 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily they can reduce their risk of death related to Chronic Heart Disease by 30%. People who are reducing their intake of empty calories and saturated fats, then replacing them with fruits, vegetables and whole natural foods is providing their body with the support it needs to help prevent the onslaught of preventable illness and heart disease; as an added benefit they are helping gain control of their weight. Now that’s exciting news!
Today’s generation may be facing grim statistics and unhealthy futures because of the current cultural climate. But it does not have to be this way, through simple yet important healthy behavior modifications we can turn the results around. By simply getting up and moving, eating natural foods, and learning more about our health we can build a healthier future for the world’s future generations. Needless to say you would be building a better you too.
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1 Diabetes Care 2009; 32:623-628
2 BMC Endocrine Disorders 2009; 9:3 (January 2009)
3 AHA, 2009
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