Unhealthy State Of The Union: New Study Reveals Roots Of Americans’ Unhealthy Lifestyles

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, and Reader’s Digest, one of America’s most recognized brands, today announced results of a nationwide survey that highlights an intriguing fact about health in America – despite our best intentions, Americans continue to make unhealthy choices.

According to the study, which looked at behaviors among different age groups, seniors were one group that ranked having good health as most important to them – more important than having a close-knit family or financial security. With a commitment to help people achieve lifelong well-being, Humana understands that while seniors’ healthy choices are important and critical to independent living and aging in place, Americans can’t wait until they turn 65 to make healthy choices. To effectively prevent chronic conditions, Americans of all ages must begin making healthier choices today.

Humana and Reader’s Digest surveyed 1,000 people nationwide about their health and well-being. Questions ranged from lifestyle tendencies – nutrition, hygiene, sleep and exercise – to feelings about happiness and the value of health today.

Americans know how to make healthy choices, but still do not make them

While it’s widely understood that vegetables and fruits have health benefits and that everyone should drink water, most people eat too few veggies and fruits and drink too little water. The Humana and Reader Digest’s study found that:

• Only 26 percent of Americans eat 3-5 servings of vegetables a day
• Only 14 percent of Americans eat 3-5 servings of fruit a day
• Only 1 in 10 drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day

Also, one third of Americans do not eat fruit as part of their overall diet, one in 10 Americans drink no water during the day, and one in 10 Americans have four or more meals from a fast food restaurant over the course of each week. Equally as concerning, Americans are sedentary for slightly more than 7 hours a day – more time than is typically spent sleeping.

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