Health statistics

Measuring health and wellness in the U.S. is a tricky thing. There are so many different factors that can be measured within the health data that you can come up with any number of stunning statistics. One recent bit of information I read had a very tight set of guidelines for measuring the health of people living in the U.S.

It looked something like this. If you fit into this strict set of health criteria:

• Maintained ideal body weight

• Ate a daily nutritional diet with proper amounts of fruit and veggies

• Have not and did not smoke

• Was active and achieved the proper amount of exercise daily

Then you fall into the 3 percent of healthy folks in the U.S. That is correct. A recent study that measured these four defined healthy lifestyle points showed 97 percent of the 153,000 people surveyed fall into the unhealthy category.

Now that is not to say this study did not have valid data supporting the percentage of healthy people, but it does show that data can be so specific to arrive at stunning results. It is also not accurate to say the research shows all 97 percent of the rest of us are unhealthy either. It is all in how to define and present the data without a lot of offsetting disclosure with other factors and variables.

A good case in point is around obesity. We have a huge problem with obesity and it’s related health issues in this country. But not all heavy or overweight people are unhealthy.

In recent years, the term “Fit Fat” has become buzz words in fitness communities around the country. Fit fat people have low cholesterol, are not diabetic and are in very good overall health. Some of these same fit fat people compete in marathons, triathlons and other demanding sports and fitness efforts. So statically they fall into a catch all of overweight and assumed unhealthy, but not true by their personal health and wellness.

Statistics are a great way to measure the overall state around various aspects of our lives. They are also not always an absolute representation of every variable and fine detail of what is being studied. I thought it would be interesting to list just a few of the many stats that can be found on health and wellness of people in the U.S.

Here are a few facts that I call “Welcome to the 70’s.” If there seems to be a fairly common percentage range researchers like to use, you will find it is the 70-percentile range.

• 70 percent of Americans have experienced depression

• 70 percent of people’s daily mental conversations are negative

• 75 percent of people have money related stress that impact their health

• 75 percent of all people in the U.S. do not get enough proper sleep

• 70 percent of U.S. adults are at risk of developing serious health problems

• 70 percent of adults in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese

• 75 percent of Americans are at risk of chronic dehydration

• 70 percent of people in the U.S. overuse prescription drugs

• 70 percent of the U.S. diet is made up of processed foods

• 70 percent of processed foods in U.S. supermarkets now contain GMO ingredients

• 70 percent of canned foods produced by major food processors contain BPH

• 74 percent of people in the U.S. live with diarrhea, gas, bloating and abdominal pain every day

• 70 million people in the U.S. are affected by preventable digestive diseases

• 70 percent of all U.S. health costs are associated with obesity related chronic disease

• 70 percent of people in the U.S. are affected by Candida, a systemic fungal infection

• 70 percent of the 50 million adults living with high blood pressure do nothing to control or reduce their blood pressure levels

• 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes

• 72 percent of Internet users say they looked online for health information within the past year

• 70 percent of Americans “binge-watch” TV

• 70 percent of weight loss comes from changes in diet and 30 percent from exercise

• 70 million people in the U.S. wear health-tracking technology

As you can see, there are so many statistics that it can become confusing to wrap your head around what this all means to you. I think the best take away when looking at health, wellness and fitness stats is to understand them as they relate to you. Look at your own health footprint and see where you fall within a health or wellness stat, then plan to make lasting changes. The one thing you don’t want to do is get caught up in the stereotyping and ridiculous nature that some health and fitness stats create around people, food and health conditions.

•••

Judd Jones is a director for The Hagadone Corporation in Coeur d’Alene.