Fewer Americans are obeying speed limits, exercising vigorously and paying close attention to the fiber and sodium in their diets. And adding to the list of unhealthy behavior: They're eating less broccoli.
Almost two-thirds feel stressed out at least once a week, and three in 10 get by on six hours of sleep a night or less.All told, the average American practices only two-thirds of the behaviors that signal a healthy lifestyle, according to an annual ranking produced by the health magazine Prevention.
Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum, R-Kan., the chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, was joining the magazine's editors at a news conference Monday to release the 12th annual Prevention Index.
A survey last November of 1,262 adults on 21 healthy practices produced an overall score of 65.6 on a scale of 1 to 100, down slightly from last year's 66.8 and the lowest since 1989.
But it is still significantly higher than the first Prevention Index of 61.5 in 1984.
The index weighs such behavior as smoking, drinking, diet, exercise and weight control as well as frequency of medical exams, auto and home safety and sleep habits.
Nearly three-quarters of adults said they always wear a seat belt in the front seat of a car. But only 44 percent said they always observe speed limits.
Eighty-five percent avoid driving after drinking, but heavy drinkers are most likely to get behind the wheel, a report on the survey said.
Forty-four percent of those who have more than three drinks at a sitting sometimes drive afterward, and 9 percent said they do so all the time.
Other survey findings:
- 37 percent of adults exercise vigorously three or more times a week. The percentage of women who are strenuous exercisers has dropped from 38 percent to 30 percent in the past two years.
- Most people watch the fat in their diet and try to eat fiber, and almost half limit their sodium intake. But fewer were concerned this year about fiber and sodium.
- 58 percent eat broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables, down from 66 percent a year ago.
- 59 percent get seven or eight hours of sleep a night, and 10 percent log nine hours or more in bed. But 30 percent, an all-time high, get six hours a night or less.
- 93 percent have smoke detectors in their homes.
- 44 percent think they will be stricken with heart disease or cancer sometime in their lives. Only 4 percent think they will get AIDS.
The telephone poll was conducted for the magazine by Princeton Survey Research Associates. It had a three-percentage-point margin of error.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Practicing good habits
The percentage of adults practicing good health habits, according to a survey conducted by Prevention magazine. The overall index figure is on a scale of 100.
Do not smoke 74
Avoid smoking in bed 93
Wear seat belt 73
Avoid driving after drinking 85
Smoke detector in home 93
Socialize regularly 86
Frequent strenuous exercise 37
Drink alcohol moderately 89
Avoid home accidents 75
Limit fat in diet 53
Maintain proper weight 18
Obey speed limit 48
Annual blood pressure test 84
Control stress 70
Consume fiber 54
Limit cholesterol in diet 45
Adequate vitamins, minerals 59
Annual dental exam 73
Limit sodium in diet 47
Limit sugar in diet 40
Get 7-8 hours sleep nightly 59
Overall Prevention Index 65.6