It's Mid-year, So How Are We Doing?

In today's blog, I want to ruminate around an article I read in the paper the other day having to do with a poll done, asking people what they thought was important in maintaining one's health.  As I write about responsibilities as they pertain to oneself, I find this information sticking in my mind. 

We have already passed the half-way point in this year, New Years Eve/Day being the traditional point at which some still think about how he or she is doing, and changes which might be made in how one lives one's life.  Unfortunately, it has become almost proverbial that, after about a week or so the general individual's conclusion is, "well, so much for that!"  Personally, I managed to hang in there for about six months, and feel it is time to renew those resolutions/efforts in my own life.

So, when I read the results of the indicated poll, I was appalled, really.  The subject of the poll was, what do adults think is the most important ingredient in maintaining health.  (I am writing from memory, so the statistics I'm presenting are to be considered, "more-or-less".)  The pollsters divided their research population into three group: younger adults 25-35; mid-age adults 35-45; and older adults 45-55.  (Those of us over 55 weren't included, maybe because most of us are already living the product of what we practiced at these earlier ages.)  

It must be kept in mind that what the pollsters apparently were asking was, not what the individual's practiced, but what they thought was true.  What the poll found was: approximately 24 percent in the first group--25-35--believed, was that diet was the primary factor; approximately 24 percent of the second group--35-45--believed that exercise was the most important, and what the older individuals believed--45-55--was that the most important factor, was regular medical checkups!  (Sorry, folks, it has been found that Doctors, as a group, don't even bring up the subject of their patient's general health--too busy prescribing drugs!)  As to questions about actual behavior, I only remember one statistic that was given, which was that approximately 35 percent of the first group--25-35--said they turned to alcohol during times of stress!

That only around one-fourth of the individuals questioned gave those responses, indicates how few people in this country are somewhat aware of those important factors which affect their overall health!

After at least a quarter century of the USDA and other health educators attempting to educate the populace of this country about what has been found to be more-or-less-true about what will produce a reasonably healthy body, it is obvious that it hasn't resulted in a healthy population.  Those attempts included total revisions of the, older, food-pyramid, such as the USDA's Healthy Food Plate, the Healthy Food Pyramid, and others.  This more recent effort at educating people regarding the importance of food to health is probably the reason 24 percent of those ages 25-35 gave that as their answer in the poll.

These efforts were perhaps helpful, but have not counteracted the popularity of  the fast-food industry; as was shown in the movie, "Supper Size Me," a dependence on such food can destroy a person's health rapidly.  The consumption of processed foods, encouraged by convenience and pricing, only brings about the health problems being experienced by so many.  The ever-increasing problem of childhood obesity is evidence that the health of the younger members of the population, as well as the increase of Type 2 Diabetes in those in their middle years, is not good.  It also needs to be recognized that those health problems, considered a normal part of aging, such as Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's, are also the product of what we have consumed over the years.

There is more and more information available now regarding the real underlying causes of such common health problems, which is that they are brought about primarily by problems with what we consume, and lack of exercise.  Even so, as indicated by the poll, only a quarter of those responding to the survey even acknowledge their importance.  Further, it is my opinion that, contrary to what we have been told, the USDA is not really interested our learning the major reasons for our poor health.  Also, the Food Industry, in general, has a major vested interest in our continuing buying their products, not to counteract the poor health of the citizens of this country.  The star at the bottom of this industry is, of course, Twinkies!

One Doctor who is trying to change people's ideas about what can be done to improve their personal health, including his own indoctrinated ideas, is Dr. Oz.  The fact that he has a major following is an indication that people are interested in what his TV program presents.  This does not mean that his advice is perfect.  He, as one example, thinks that only 1% of people who should be having gastric-bypass surgery done, actually have it done.  I believe that any Doctor who recommends and/or performs such surgeries on individuals should be prosecuted for malpractice and have their license to practice medicine revoked! 

On the brighter side is the recently recognized specialty of Holistic Medicine, the fact of its existence is an indication of how far certain medical practitioners have come, but they are definitely in the minority.  (More information about this form of medical practice can be found here.)

I have, personally, spent many years educating myself about what has been, and is still wrong with the diets of the vast majority of individuals in this country, and agribusiness' responsibility for the corruption of food production, not only in this country, but the rest of the world as well.

Only by individuals taking personal responsibility for their own health and lives, one-by-one, can we begin to counteract the current state of poor health in this country.

So saying, I end this blog.

Shirley Gallup