5. Healthy Lifestyles
Eat right, exercise, and don't smoke. These three directives are the basics of healthy living one will hear from healthcare professionals. The past few decades have witnessed an increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle in maintaining good health and remaining socially active. As with the general population, older adults have shown a greater interest in healthy living and younger Texans often practice healthy living habits with them as they age. Yet in comparing responses from 2004 to 2008, activities of healthy living did not increase and in some cases, such as in participation in physical activity and weight management, there was a statistically significant decline.
Smoking
According to the Centers for Disease Control [8], smoking was responsible for more than
440,000 deaths annually, nationwide, between 2000 and 2004. In 2008, 13 percent of the respondents reported they smoke. In 2004, 12 percent reported smoking.
Physical Activity
Critical to maintaining good physical health for all populations is physical activity. As we age, the need to remain active becomes increasingly important. Even moderate physical activity can increase strength and balance, which helps prevent falls and other avoidable accidents.
A total of 59 percent of survey respondents reported participating in physical activities or exercises in the past month — such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking — in which the heart rate was elevated for 30 minutes or more.
Table 5.1 Participation in Physical Activity
| Frequency of participation in physical activity |
Percent of respondents 2004 |
Percent of respondents 2008 |
| Every day |
22% |
20% |
| 3 to 5 times per week |
30% |
25% |
| Twice a week |
7% |
8% |
| 3 to 5 times per month (once a week) |
1% |
4% |
| Not in the past month |
41% |
43% |
| Total |
100% |
100% |
Nutrition
Health care professionals increasingly emphasize good nutrition as a basis of good health. One measure of healthy eating is reflected in determining how many fruits and vegetables the respondents consume on average each day. According to MyPyramid.gov, most adults need five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Only eight percent of participants ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Table 5.2 Eating Fruits and Vegetables
| Number of fruits and vegetables eaten each day |
Percent of respondents 2004 |
Percent of respondents 2008 |
| One |
31% |
31% |
| Two |
33% |
35% |
| Three |
22% |
18% |
| Four |
5% |
6% |
| Five |
5% |
4% |
| More than five |
3% |
4% |
| Never |
2% |
3% |
| Total |
100% |
100% |
Obesity and Weight Management
Recent federal studies show that about one third of US adults are obese [9]. Comparing responses from 2004 to 2008, the ATW surveys indicate that the problem of obesity is increasing in older adults.
Table 5.3 Body Mass Index
| Body Mass Index (BMI) (calculated by height and weight) |
Percent of respondents 2004 |
Percent of respondents 2008 |
| Underweight (Below 18.5) |
2% |
1% |
| Normal (18.5 - 24.9) |
36% |
34% |
| Overweight (25 - 29.9) |
38% |
35% |
| Obese (30 & Above) |
24% |
29% |
| Total |
100% |
100% |
On average people who responded to the survey in 2008 had a higher Body Mass Index than those who responded in 2004. The difference was statistically significant.
Footnotes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report November 14, 2008 / 57(45);1226-1228
- Ogden CL, Carroll MD, McDowell MA, Flegal KM. Obesity among adults in the United States – no change since 2003—2004. NCHS data brief no 1. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2007
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Updated:
April 11, 2012
