University of Virginia Health System

Make a Healthy Lifestyle a Goal for 2006

Starting the new year with healthy habits and continuing them throughout 2006 will help men reduce their risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases, say experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations.

According to the CDC, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." There is more truth to this saying than we once thought. What you eat and drink and what you do not eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health.

Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat.

Weight Control, Physical Activity

Those who maintain a healthy weight have an advantage on health. Obesity is at an all time high in the US, states the CDC, and the epidemic may be getting worse.

Those who are overweight or obese have increased risks for diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), watch out for fad diets which often make promises that are untrue or unsafe. The AHA states that if a diet sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

There are many weight-loss and maintenance programs, which can make it hard to tell a good program from a bad one, and the AHA can provide information on selecting a good program.

The AHA states that losing weight and building your physical fitness are great goals.

Eat better, get regular exercise, and see your health care provider about any health concerns to make sure you are on the right track to staying healthy.

Exercise, exercise, exercise - this is the mantra by health officials who know about preventing disease.

Currently, more than 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits, according to the federal officials.

For adults, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week is recommended. It does not take a lot of time or money, but it does take commitment, the CDC notes.

Start slowly, work up to a satisfactory level, and do not overdo it. You can develop one routine, or you can do something different every day. Find fun ways to stay in shape and feel good, such as dancing, gardening, cutting the grass, swimming, walking, or jogging.

Smoking Cessation Critical

From the American Cancer Society (ACS) to the American Heart Association (AHA), stopping smoking may be considered at the top of the list for improving health.

Health concerns associated with smoking include cancer and lung disease. Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among those who are middle-aged.

Second-hand smoke - smoke that you inhale when others smoke - also affects your health. If you smoke, quit today! Help lines, counseling, medications, and other forms of support are available to help you quit.

The US Surgeon General states, "Smoking cessation (stopping smoking) represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives."

Health Screening Helps Prevention

To enhance an awareness of health status, individuals can obtain routine exams and screenings. Sometimes they are once a year, and sometimes they are more or less often.

Based on age, health history, lifestyle, and other important issues, you and your health care provider can determine how often you need to be examined and screened for certain diseases and conditions.

These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancers of the skin, prostate, and colon. When problems are found early, your chances for treatment and cure are better. Routine exams and screenings can help save lives.

The ACS has introduced a new program called the Great American Health Check, underscoring eating right and exercising regularly to help protect against cancer.

Questions asked by the ACS include: Are you making good choices in what you eat and drink? In your exercise habits? In other lifestyle behaviors? Do you know what early detection tests are available, and if and when you should get them?

The CDC also recommends receiving appropriate vaccinations to be protected from illness and disease, as well as managing stress and protecting yourself from injury.

Always consult your physician for more information.