Characterized by regular physical activity, ideal body fat percentage, smoking avoidance, and healthy eating.
Fewer than 3% of all US adults have 4 healthy lifestyle characteristics, with little variation by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.
Having more healthier lifestyle characteristics is associated with more favorable biomarker levels related to chronic disease.
People who lead an unhealthy lifestyle or at high-risk for the occurrence of bad and expensive health related care, particularly those related to cardiovascular diseases.
Unhealthy lifestyles include: tobacco smoke, alcohol consumption, consumption of preserved foods of foods high in salt, and low intake of fresh vegetables or fruits.
Lifestyle behavior including poor dietary patterns, and physical activity are among the leading contributors to all-cause and cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality.
Poor and unhealthy lifestyle is related to multimorbidity, frequent physician visits, pharmacologic dependency, surgical procedures and premature mortality.
It is imperative to promote healthy living, irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, and baseline health status.
Converting from an unhealthy behavior to one of more healthy lifestyle activities has the potential for significant health and economic benefits.
Lifestyle changes are a lifelong journey and not a short-term strategy.
Lifestyle intervention programs are expected to result in a mean weight loss of about 6 – 8% in 6 – 12 months.
Weight loss of 5% or more is considered clinically meaningful.
The American Cancer Society new guidelines focus on staying at a healthy weight, staying active throughout life, adhering to a healthy eating pattern, avoiding or limiting alcohol, and not smoking.
Black adults report consuming lower amounts of fruit and vegetables and than white adults.
Persons of lower is socioeconomic status consume less fruits and vegetables and have lower levels of physical activity than those of higher socioeconomic status.
Adults with lower educational attainment report exercising less than those with higher educational attainment.
Social determinants of health and systemic racism contribute to differences in healthy diet and physical activity by influencing healthy food availability and physical activity barriers and opportunities.
Getting 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or a combination.
Getting 300 minutes or more will provide the most health benefits.
As a child or teen, getting at least 1 hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity every day.
Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and brown rice.
Avoiding or limiting the consumption of red meats, such as beef, pork, or lamb, and processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, deli meats, and hot dogs.
Avoiding or limiting beverages high in sugar, highly processed foods.
People should be eating whole foods, not individual nutrients, as evidence suggests that healthy dietary patterns are correlated with a reduced risk of cancer, especially colorectal and breast cancers.
Compared with patients with unhealthy lifestyles, those with ideal lifestyle related to being physically active, consuming an nutritious and healthy diet, not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight have approximately 80% lower risk of bad events, such as the development of a chronic disease, and associated health consequences.