answer- Best single behavioral change Americans can make to reduce morbidity and mortality is to stop smoking.
- Cigarette smoking causes one out of five deaths in the US each year and it is an important risk factor for cancer, heart disease and stroke.In 2014 nearly one sixth (17%) of this age 18 and older smoked. This is 40 million Americans.
- Proportion of Americans who smoke has drooped considerably since 1965, when 40% of all Americans smoked. Consequences on individual health remains. Smoking rates are higher among AI/AN, people with fewer education, and lower income.
- Three other risk factors that contribute to disease and death in adults are the: lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and drinking too much alcohol. Few are exercising on a regular basis. In 2011, more than half (52%) of US adults did not meet recommendations for aerobic exercise or physical activity. Recommendations encourage adults to engage in 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic PA and engage in muscle strengthening activities 2 or more days a week.
- Poor dietary habits are associated with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, certain cancers, and micronutrient deficiencies. In 2011, more than one-third (38%) of adults reported eating fruit less than once per day and one-quarter (23%) ate veggies less than one day.
- Poor diet and poor PA leads to obesity. More than one-third (34.9%) of US adults are obese with rate higher among middle age adults, 40 to 59 years old (39.5%), compared to those younger (30.3%) and over (35.4%). Obesity in the US is an epidemic. BMI is a way to measure obesity, Maintain weight is a combination of healthy eating and exercise. Person's environment, including society and other life circumstances, impacts his or her ability to engage in these behaviors.
- Alcohol consumption places adults at greater health risk. In 2014, 57% of adult Americans reported consuming alcohol in the previous month and about one-quarter (24.7%) of people ages 18 or older reported bing drinking.
- Men are twice as likely as women to report binge drinking and heavy alcohol use. Greater risks for developing dependence on alcohol and for developing alcohol related health problems as cirrhosis, alcoholism, and alcohol psychosis.
- Alcohol increases the rates of homicide, suicide, family violence, and unintentional injuries (vehicle, boats, and falls)