| Lifelong Health: Health Must be a Priority in Resolutions for 2011 More than ever before, 2011 requires every American to place the highest priority on improved health. Alarming new information indicates that the epidemic of obesity shows no evidence of slowing and the risk of dependency and disability is increasing.
For the first time ever, data show a small but highly significant reduction in American life expectancy. With the current trajectory of poor health, it has been predicted that by the year 2020, 50 percent of Americans will have either pre-diabetes or diabetes. Add to this the fact that baby boomers will be receiving their Medicare cards in exponential numbers, and it's clear that a crisis is looming. But to foster a more robust impact on your New Year's health resolutions, you must understand the key lifestyle changes that will ensure a healthier, happier, longer and more independent life.
At the top of the list, place increasing your self-esteem. Though it is not usually associated with healthy living, reports from the Commonwealth Foundation -- which examined factors associated with successful aging -- found that individuals who felt good about themselves, happy in their skin and confident that they were successful human beings had the longest life expectancy, a lower risk of illness and the greatest chance of reaching old age without any physical or cognitive disabilities.
How you feel about yourself is often fully cemented by the time you reach adulthood, and it's affected greatly by your upbringing and life experiences. However, we should all be diligent about healing old wounds and softening sharp edges. Learn to love yourself -- as you are -- and healthfulness will certainly follow.
Next, resolve to adopt the one true key to longevity: exercise. The more you exercise, the healthier you are and the longer you'll live. The late Dr. Robert Butler, a leading longevity expert of the 20th century, showed that exercise is the only true longevity pill. Clearly, lack of exercise and obesity are closely linked. Statistics show that the risk of obesity is closely correlated with the number of miles driven annually. Furthermore, obesity is much lower in locations where walking or biking to work is common.
It is simply time to stop the excuses. No matter your age, weight or health status, there is an exercise program that is right for you. At a minimum, exercise must include either 150 minutes of moderate or 70 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly. Accomplish this goal and prolong your life.
Along with adopting an exercise regimen, your 2011 resolutions should certainly include maintaining an ideal body weight. Be neither too fat nor too thin, but just right. Data clearly show that maintaining an ideal body weight is a major predictor of longevity. Being overweight or obese has been directly linked to increased risk of death.
While obesity is the most recognized measure of poor health, the solution involves much more than eating less and losing weight. We eat because we are unhappy, we are stressed and we have a poor relationship with food. And since diets rarely target the root of unhealthy habits, the quest to shed extra weight usually fails.
So, for the millions of Americans who find themselves outside the bounds of an ideal body mass index, take some time to understand your own relationship with food as well as your complex barriers to weight loss. For guidance, seek the help of dietitians or turn to rational programs that have a core commitment to lifelong improved nutrition.
Finally, any New Year's resolution list must include being an empowered consumer of health care. Your future health relies on understanding not only what it takes to stay healthy, but also understanding how to navigate the health care system should you or your loved ones become sick.
Find a trusted primary care physician who focuses on prevention and early detection of disease. Have regular medical checkups, assure appropriate screening for disease, be up-to-date on vaccinations, and try to improve health habits by quitting smoking and drinking in moderation.
Let's start 2011 with a renewed commitment to good health as well as a renewed understanding of what it means to be healthy.
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Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the books, "Breaking the Rules of Aging" and "Dr. David's First Health Book of More Not Less." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at www.DrDavidHealth.com. Copyright 2010 Creators Syndicate Inc. |
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