Healthy Lifestyles/Nutrition Research
Public perceptions: People believe it takes too much time to have a healthier lifestyle.

Problem: Overweight and underweight people who develop many more conditions and health risks for themselves.

Affect: The family, hospitals, and people that have to take care of the unhealthy person.

Causes: Bad eating habits, surrounding community not being encouraging, weak work ethic and will power.

Statistics: Lack of exercise and poor dietary habits were the second-largest underlying cause of death in our society. 20.6% of Missouri adults 18 and older consume the recommended 5 or more fruits and vegetables a day. (US average is 23.2%). Over the past 20 years Americans are consuming twice as much high-fat snack food and three times as much soft drinks. Youth age 2 to 18 spend an average of six hours a day playing video games, surfing the net, and watching television. It has been shown that 82% of coronary heart disease and 91% of type 2 diabetes are caused by high-risk lifestyles. he number of deaths from sedentary living is two times greater than that from microbial agents and also exceeds all deaths from firearms, illicit usage of drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, and motor vehicle accidents. Inactive people lose about one-third of their muscle strength by the time they reach age 60.

Cultural & Social Circumstances: Restaurants, actual physical activity at school and work, technology in general have all changed in that last generations.

Organizations: Sound Partners, Care2, and Foundation for Healthy living are just a few of many that promote a healthier lifestyle.

Promoting themselves: programs show thousands of people how to achieve a healthier life by simple tips to change their current life choices.