Module 1: Current Health Status and Benefits of Healthy Living

Identify the top 3 causes of death in the USA. Why is the number of
deaths rising due to these diseases? How does diet and lifestyle
contribute to the growth of these diseases?
o Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Chronic Lower Respiratory
Disease
o These causes of death are increasing due to lack of physical
activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol
consumption
o Cardiovascular disease includes diseases that affect the heart
and blood vessels
o Coronary Heart Disease occurs when there is a buildup of plaque
in your coronary arteries
o Cancer can be prevented with proper diet, exercise, and smoke
cessation
How is obesity defined? What diseases are associated with being
overweight and/or obese? What lifestyle changes contribute to weight
gain and how can a person overcome obesity?
o The condition of having too much body fat
o BMI > 30
o More than 30 pounds over the recommended weight and height
o Overweight individuals have a BMI between 25 and 29.9
o Associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes,
arthritis, pregnancy complications, and shortened life expectancy
o 36% of adult Americans are considered obese
o 33% of adult Americans are considered overweight
o 17% of youths are obese (5% in the early 1970s)
o 12.5 Million obese youths in America
o 18.4% of adolescents are obese
o 12.1% of very young children are obese
o Can be overcome with diet and exercise
o Diet alone decreases weight from muscle tissue as well as from
fat
o Caused by poor eating habits, stress
What are some key goals of the Healthy People 2020 initiative and
what are the rationales behind these goals?
o 10 Year Program designed to improve Americas health
o Identify most significant preventable threats
o Establish goals to reduce these threats
o Four main goals
Attain higher quality, longer lives, free of preventable
disease, disability, injury, and premature death

Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and

improve health of all groups
Create social and physical environments that
promote good health for all
Promote quality of life, healthy development, and
healthy behaviors across all life stages
Additional Information
o BMI is very easy to use (Based on weight and height)
o Average BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9
o 70% of deaths are from chronic disease
o 600,000 deaths per year from CVD
o 572,000 deaths per year from Cancer
o 1/3 of these deaths linked to inactive lifestyle
o Lung Cancer accounts for 27% of cancer cases
o Exercising can reduce body weight, blood pressure, and LDL
o Exercising increases HDL, Insulin Sensitivity, and Exercise
Tolerance
o 33.5% of Americans have high cholesterol
o Below 200 Cholesterol is Good
o You want more than 40 HDL, and Less than 130 LDL
o Borderline is 200-239, High Cholesterol is 240+
o 8.3% of Americans have diabetes
o 90-95% of all diabetes cases are Type 2
o Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough
insulin
o Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body does not respond to the
insulin produced
o More than 50 Million Americans suffer from Arthritis
o Osteoarthritis occurs from degeneration of cartilage
o Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when the bodys immune system
attacks its own tissues
o Other forms include Lupus and Gout
o Osteoporosis occurs when the bones lack minerals to remain
strong
o Lower-Back Pain affects 80% of Americans in their lifetime
o 48.4% of Americans meet the minimum recommendation for
aerobic activity
o 24% of Americans meet the minimum recommendations for
muscle strength
o 20.6% of Americans meet both
o 2.5 Hours of moderate activity or 1.25 Hours of vigorous activity
per week (or mixture)