Wellness - Nutrition

Nutrition By The Numbers:

• The National Center for Health Statistics reported in 2002 that two thirds of American adults (men 67% women 62%) were overweight (BMI ≥25), totaling about 127 million people while about one third adults (men 34%, women 27.7% over 20 years old are obese (BMI ≥30). Meanwhile greater than 15% of children (ages 6-19) are obese (>95th percentile weight for height). 



• The fat content of the American diet increased by about 34% between 1910 and 1989, according to author Stanley Lebergott, who wrote Pursuing Happiness, American Consumers in the Twentieth Century. 



• If Americans would reduce saturated fat intake to 9% of their total calories, according to the February 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Dietary Association, 100,000 first-time coronary events would be prevented by the year 2005. 



• In 1994, Americans got 33% of their calories from fat, down from 40% in 1977-1978, according to a USDA survey. The recommended maximum amount is 30%.



• A 1994 US Department of Agriculture (USDA) survey showed half of Americans ate no fruit on a given day. 



• A 1995 Gallup survey showed more than half of adult Americans had digestive problems in the previous month -- 33% had multiple problems such as heartburn, indigestion, bloating, or belching. 

Cancer

• As many as 80% of cancers worldwide are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, according to the American Cancer Society. 



• Diet may account for 35% of worldwide cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. 



• More than 100 studies have linked eating more fruits and vegetables with lower heart disease and cancer rates. 



• A low-fat diet can significantly reduce the occurrence of a highly prevalent form of nonmelnoma skin cancer, according to a study published in the July 17, 1995, issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

Children

• The National Center for Health Statistics reported in 2002 that greater than 30% of children (ages 6-19) are overweight (>85th percentile weight for height) and 15% are obese (>95th percentile). 



• The Children's Nutrition Research Center reported that 5% of the top 10 causes of death are attributable, at least in part, to dietary habits established in childhood. 
  12:40 PM 3/30/2010