Health Factors and Nutrition

Questions and Answers

What is a major contributor to several leading causes of death in the United States?

Poor eating habits

What percentage of all deaths in 2018 were attributed to heart disease and cancer?

Over 40%

What is a risk factor for chronic diseases such as heart disease?

Genetic background or family history

Why should people be concerned about their lifestyle and risk factors for chronic diseases?

Because chronic diseases take many years to develop and have complex causes Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of nutritional genomics, a relatively new area of nutrition research?

The complex interactions among gene functioning, diet, and other lifestyle choices, and the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer?

They usually take many years to develop and have complex causes Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a lifestyle practice that contributes to health?

Healthy eating habits Signup and view all the answers

What is the main nutrition-related goal of Healthy People 2030?

Not specified in this context Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Americans younger than 65 years of age had health insurance in 2018?

almost 90% Signup and view all the answers

Which group of Americans was least likely to have health insurance in 2018?

American Indians or Alaska Natives (about 71%) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a person's lifestyle?

A person's usual way of living that includes dietary practices, physical activity habits, use of drugs such as tobacco and alcohol, and other typical patterns of behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of public health efforts in the United States since the late 1970s?

health promotion and disease prevention Signup and view all the answers

What are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of heart disease and certain cancers?

Poor diet, cigarette smoking, and excess alcohol consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Healthy People 2030 related to nutrition?

to improve health by promoting healthy eating and making nutritious foods available Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the objectives of Healthy People 2030 to reduce the intake of?

added sugars Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of poor diet and lack of physical activity?

Obesity, a condition characterized by the accumulation of too much body fat. Signup and view all the answers

How have Americans' diets changed over the past 50 years?

Americans now eat more peanuts and tree nuts, poultry, fish and shellfish, yogurt, and cheese, but have reduced their intakes of other protein-rich foods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the target age group for the Healthy People 2030 objective to increase fruit intake?

people who are 2 years of age and older Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of consuming more foods that contain too much added sugars?

Increased risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, certain cancers, and obesity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the overarching goal of Healthy People 2030 related to health disparities?

to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key factors that affects access to healthcare in the US?

level of education Signup and view all the answers

How has food processing affected the nutritional value of foods?

Processing can make a food more nutritious, but can also remove nutrients and phytochemicals, and add unhealthy amounts of sodium, sugar, and certain fats. Signup and view all the answers

What has been the trend in adult Americans' average food energy intake from 1987-1988 to 2017-2018?

An increase of almost 17%, from 1785 Calories/day to 2085 Calories/day. Signup and view all the answers

What is the website where more information about Healthy People 2030 objectives can be found?

<a href="https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eating">https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eating</a> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge faced by low-income Americans in accessing healthcare?

deciding between buying nutritious food and paying for physical exams and prescription medications Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of reduced physical activity levels?

Unwanted weight gain and increased risk of chronic diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of regular professional medical care?

It can reduce the chances of developing many serious chronic diseases and premature death. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of lacking health insurance?

Increased risk of becoming ill with chronic and debilitating diseases due to skipping routine medical care. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Factors That Influence Americans’ Health

Poor eating habits contribute to several leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease and cancer
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all Americans, and cancer is the second leading cause of death, accounting for over 40% of all deaths in 2018
Chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, usually take many years to develop and have complex causes
Risk factors for chronic diseases include genetic background, family history, age, environmental conditions, psychological factors, access to healthcare, and lifestyle practices

Lifestyle and Risk Factors

Lifestyle practices, such as dietary habits, physical activity, and use of drugs like tobacco and alcohol, can increase or reduce the chances of developing a chronic disease
Family history is an important risk factor for heart disease, but having a family history does not mean that an individual will definitely develop the condition
Other risk factors, such as age, environmental conditions, and access to healthcare, also contribute to health
Poor diet, cigarette smoking, and excess alcohol consumption are risk factors that increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and many forms of cancer
Obesity, characterized by the accumulation of too much body fat, is a risk factor for numerous health problems, including heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension

Changing Eating Habits

Americans' diets have changed over the past 50 years, with increased consumption of peanuts, tree nuts, poultry, fish, and shellfish, but decreased consumption of red meat, eggs, and fluid milk
Although Americans consume more fruits and vegetables, they do not eat the recommended amounts
The population's current diet supplies more food energy from total grains, including flour and cereal products, but foods made from refined grains, such as white bread and pizza dough, make up the majority of these products
Average food energy intake has increased by almost 17% between 1987-1988 and 2017-2018, contributing to weight gain and obesity

Access to Healthcare

People who have regular professional medical care may reduce their chances of developing chronic diseases that lead to disability, lower quality of life, and premature death
Increasing access to health insurance and regular, high-quality medical care is crucial for improving and maintaining good health for all Americans
In 2018, most Americans (almost 90%) who were younger than 65 years of age had health insurance, but people with lower levels of education and certain racial/ethnic groups were less likely to have health insurance

Healthy People 2030

Healthy People 2030 is a report that includes national health promotion and disease prevention objectives to be met by 2030
The main nutrition-related goal of Healthy People 2030 is to improve health by promoting healthy eating and making nutritious foods available
Some nutrition-related objectives of Healthy People 2030 include:
- Reducing the proportion of adults who are obese
- Reducing the proportion of obese children and adolescents
- Increasing fruit and vegetable intake
- Increasing whole grain intake
- Reducing intake of added sugars
- Increasing calcium intake

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Description

Learn about the factors that influence Americans' health, including lifestyle, diet and genetic makeup. Understand the importance of nutrition and the goals of Healthy People 2030.