Reuters Health reports that a new study by the Medical University of South Carolina suggests that during the past 20 years, older and middle aged Americans are not eating as well nor exercising as much as they used to.
More than 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 40 and 74 said that they ate five servings or more of fruits and vegetables each day, down from 42 percent in 1988. At the same time only 43 percent said that they exercise at least 12 times a month, compared to 53 percent in 1988.
The impact of this shift: in 1988, 28 percent of Americans were classified as obese, compared to 36 percent in 2006.
Despite all the publicity about the dangers of smoking, 26 percent of Americans in this age range continue to use tobacco products – the same as 20 years ago.
More than 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 40 and 74 said that they ate five servings or more of fruits and vegetables each day, down from 42 percent in 1988. At the same time only 43 percent said that they exercise at least 12 times a month, compared to 53 percent in 1988.
The impact of this shift: in 1988, 28 percent of Americans were classified as obese, compared to 36 percent in 2006.
Despite all the publicity about the dangers of smoking, 26 percent of Americans in this age range continue to use tobacco products – the same as 20 years ago.
- KC's View:
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I think it was George Carlin who once said, “Just think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider.”
Case closed.
