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Pressure Cooker
A recent study says one in three American adults has high blood pressure. The study appeared in the publication, Hypertension. It shows about 65 million adults in the US have high blood pressure, compared with 50 million in a study released less than 10 years ago. Doctors say high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers blame the rising numbers to the aging population and the nation's growing obesity problem.
Fruits and Veggies-How Much is Enough?
We all hear that we need to be eating more fruits and vegetables, but a recent study shows not only are we not doing it-we don't know how much we should aim for.
The government currently recommends two to four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables daily. An AC Nielsen poll shows more than 85 percent of consumers are not meeting even the minimum recommendation. In fact, just 12 percent eat five or more servings of produce each day. The poll also showed about 60 percent of us think eating one to four servings is enough for a healthy diet.
The poll was conducted for The Produce for Better Health Foundation. It helps with the "5 A Day for Better Health" public service campaign. The government is currently reviewing guidelines and is expected to raise the recommended number of produce servings next year.
Survey Says: We Think We Are, We Think We Are
Despite the rising obesity problems and news about the health problems associated with it, most Americans see themselves as healthy. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston commissioned a national poll on attitudes about health. Interestingly, 69 percent of those surveyed said they were careful about what they eat most or all of the time, but 56 percent considered themselves to be overweight.
The poll also found most people respect and trust physicians. About two-thirds of the respondents had seen their doctor within the last six months, but they also expect more from their physicians. They want to learn more about their personal health issues.
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