Copyright 2004 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.
Compelling evidence shows that certain lifestyle behaviours can improve health prevent premature death and may even prolong life. The problem is that people often drift along continuing their unhealthy ways - maybe vowing to stop smoking or drink less "some day soon" - until a disease or health problem strikes and it may be too late to reverse the damage. Assessing your lifestyle and how it affects health before illness occurs is a wise precaution. (However changing one's lifestyle even after illness can sometimes improve health - for instance giving up cigarettes and exercising more after a heart attack.)
Why assess lifestyle risks?
Accumulating scientific evidence shows that a few simple lifestyle habits can directly improve health and decrease disease risks. Much disability and premature death from today's foremost killers - heart disease stroke cancer diabetes liver cirrhosis suicide and unintentional injuries - stem from everyday habits. Over half the premature deaths in North America are blamed on unhealthy behaviours such as cigarette smoking insufficient exercise excessive alcohol intake and a fat-laden diet. Only six per cent of premature deaths are considered avoidable through better medical care.
A California study has demonstrated that disease risks can be reduced by not smoking cigarettes moderating alcohol use eating breakfast having regular physical activity maintaining desirable weight getting enough (7-8 hours) nightly sleep and having close social networks. The effect is cumulative: the greater the number of good lifestyle habits the greater the chance of better health and a longer life. A recent Canadian study confirmed a lower chance of premature death by avoiding cigarette smoking high blood pressure (related to obesity and insufficient exercise) adult-onset diabetes (due to obesity poor diet lack of exercise) and excess alcohol consumption. (However some everyday influences are an unavoidable part of the environment over which individuals have little control - such as air pollution or traffic noise.)
To evaluate your lifestyle ask yourself a few key questions about everyday activities such as the amount of fat you eat smoking and drinking habits - see checklist below - and evaluate which might be improving your health or perhaps damaging it. Consider seeking advice from a health professional about habits you wish to change.
Quick easy computer programs help rate your lifestyle
To help people assess the health impact of various lifestyle activities a new Computerized Lifestyle Assessment (CLA) program developed by the Addiction Research Foundation and the University of Toronto provides a practical quick confidential and easy method of evaluating lifestyle strengths and weaknesses. The computer program which takes 20 minutes to run asks detailed questions about 16 lifestyle activities with graphic feedback along the way and a printed report at the end. Identification and feedback about risk activities that undermine health often lead people to improve their lifestyle and seek advice from a health professional. For details about the CLA program call (416) 978-8989 or contact the publisher Multi-Health Systems at 1-800-268-6011.
The computer program asks questions about.
* substance abuse;
* health maintenance;
* preventive activities;
* social and intimate relationships;
* mental and emotional wellbeing.
The program feeds back information about:
* lifestyle strengths or activities to keep ...
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