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Senior Citizens Ignore Need for Exercise and Health
Diet
Nov. 22, 2004 – Senior citizens continue to ignore
professional advice on the need for exercise and a health diet,
according to the third annual State of Aging and Health in America
Report released today.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the Merck Institute of Aging & Health (MIAH) jointly released the
report, which focuses on promoting healthy behaviors among Americans 65
and older. These behaviors include eating a healthy diet, controlling
weight and, most important, physical activity.
The new report, which also features input from the
Gerontological Society of America, says that despite the proven health
benefits of physical activity, one-third of older adults are not taking
part in any leisure-time physical activities. Additionally, two-thirds
of older adults are not eating the recommended five servings of fruits
and vegetables a day. And nearly one-fifth of older adults are obese,
which is defined as at least 30 pounds above recommended weight.
The report also notes that promoting a healthier
lifestyle among older Americans is the single most important factor in
maintaining both physical and mental wellness.
"In order to ensure that our aging population does
all it can to stay healthy and independent, and to reduce risk of
disabilities, we as a nation must do more to translate knowledge about
healthy behaviors into action," said Dr. Patricia P. Barry, Executive
Director of MIAH.
The CDC/MIAH report also ranks health status,
health behaviors and the use of preventive services among older
Americans at both the national and state levels.
Under the most recent state "report card," which
shows whether individual states are meeting federal targets for various
health indicators, no state met all the federal targets.
Based on the number of federal targets met, Hawaii
was the healthiest state for older Americans, while Kentucky was the
least healthy.
Only two states, Hawaii and Minnesota, met the
federal target for leisure- time physical activity. And not one state
met the federal target for eating five fruits and vegetables a day.
However, 37 states met the federal target for receiving the pneumonia
vaccine, compared to only one state in 2002. All states are now meeting
the federal target for colorectal cancer screening.
"The report clearly shows that while most older
Americans are receiving some preventive services, the majority are not
engaging in healthy behaviors which could reduce their risk for
disability and illness. We must address this gap with sustained
attention and significant action," said Dr. Terrie Fox Wetle, President
of the Gerontological Society of America.
The State of Aging & Health is the signature
publication of MIAH and presents a snapshot of the entire health and
aging landscape in the United States or another region of the world.
MIAH is a non-profit organization, funded by the
Merck Company Foundation, and located in Washington, DC. The
organization is dedicated to improving the health and independence of
older adults around the world through information and education, and it
is especially concerned with the education of primary care physicians in
geriatrics. The Institute currently funds projects in the United States,
Europe and Latin America.
The CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency
for protecting the health and safety of Americans. CDC serves as the
national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and
control measures, environmental health actions, and health promotion and
education activities. Located in Atlanta, GA, the CDC is an agency of
the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Julie L. Gerberding is
the Director of the CDC.
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