A Healthy Lifestyles Study

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

Joseph M. Weisenberger CPhT; CHC
English Composition 101
Arizona State University

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

society is consumed by health care and fitness. Americans see thousands of articles, and
television commercials about the latest miracle diet. Diet books, are flooding the shelves and are
a recommended read by our peers. Paleo and clean eating seem to be the most popular diets right
now. Lately you hear all around you people asking, Why cant I get this weight off? Mostly by
women who appear to be skinny. With all things considered, what is the general health of my
friends and family?
Recently a study was conducted by Oregon State University, the University of
Mississippi and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga that determined the health of
Americans Surveyed. They focused on 4 areas of your health, a balanced diet, being active,
being at the recommended criteria for body fat and not smoking. The results of this study were
quite depressing. In that 2.7 percent of Americans live a healthy lifestyle. For my ethnography, I
wanted to do a similar study, determining the health of my friends, family and colleagues. To
conduct my research, I developed a survey of 20 questions and based my questions off of the 4
areas of health as determined by that survey done in partnership with Oregon State University.
Some of the questions asked were basic, such as height and weight. But got into more detailed

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

questions like what percentages of your meals are home cooked. This allowed me to get
responses from people around the country between men, women and of different age groups than
I would have been able to do otherwise. I used a web survey platform site called
freeonlinesurveys.com. I also advertised my survey, on the social media site, Facebook. The
results from my study were quite fascinating.
These were the results of a lifestyles survey involving men and women. 17 percent are
between the ages of 19 and 24; 25 percent between 25 and 30; 13 percent between 31 and 35; 8
percent between 36 and 40; 4 percent between 41 and 45; 21 percent 46 and 50; 4 percent
between 56 and 60; and 8 percent over the age of 60. Nearly half of the group surveyed
considered themselves to live a healthy lifestyle. At the same rate however, the other half of
those people surveyed considered they are not living a healthy lifestyle. Compared to those
surveyed, I am classified in the 25 to 30 age range and consider myself to live a healthy lifestyle.
So how many people consider themselves healthy compared to those who did not? After
conducting this survey I am the only person from within this study to be classified as
underweight. A total of 26 percent of those surveyed are to be in the obese range with a BMI
between 30 and 52. Besides obesity, 37 percent of those surveyed are classified as overweight
category and several, just 1 point away from Obesity.
A huge contributing factor to the Obesity Epidemic is a balanced diet, smoking, sleep,
and exercise. Its clear that most Americans do not eat a balanced diet and many may be
confused about the array of diet books on shelves in book stores and countless articles online
contradicting each other. Clearly eating a balanced diet largely impacts weight. Most of those
surveyed either eat fast food, or other processed foods found at convenience stores and some
grocery stores this is the probable cause of the overweight and obese population. According to a

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

study done by the Centers for Disease Control in 2008, the annual estimated medical cost of
obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion $1,429 higher than those whom are in the normal weight
category. This could be largely due to the 37 percent surveyed whom cook less than 50 percent
of their meals at home. This number is pretty concerning to me and practitioners in the study of
diet and nutrition. Foods that are natural or organic come from the earth and not factories. They
are high in vitamins and minerals that help stabilize weight and blood sugar. After conducting
the survey, I determined that those surveyed generally eat Natural organic foods at 48 percent
however a large number of 38 percent are still eating fast or processed foods. A similar response
was determined that 48 percent ate mostly fruits and vegetables for snacks throughout the day
and 30 percent snack on surgery sweets. So why arent most people eating from home anymore?
Most are going to say they dont have time to cook after a busy day at work. Its often more
convenient to stop at McDonalds or pick up a pizza on the way home. It is typical for me to pick
up a pizza or eating a meal at McDonalds. However thankfully due to my low gluten diet and
anti-processed food diet, I am not as bad as many. My typical McDonalds meal is a salad with no
cheese or crackers and I might pick up a pizza less than once per month.
Believe it or not but beverages also contributes to weight gain. For example water tends
to curb the appetite and helps you feel full. While surgery sodas, juices or coffee contribute to an
unhealthy weight due to their high sugar content. Fruit juices not a better option for weight
control than sugary beverages. They are just as high in sugar and calories even those that are 100
percent fruit juice. It has also been determined that adults who have a higher alcohol intake
gained more weight overtime than those who do not drink. Another alarming statistic over 66
percent of those surveyed consumes coffee and soda among other surgery beverages from juice

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

to sweet tea. It is especially important to cut down on these surgery beverages for overall health
as it also decreases joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
An active lifestyle and sleep are also contributing to overweight and obesity. I realize that
I do not exercise enough though exercise is important to me. Currently the majority of my
exercise comes from walking around home and work. At this time unfortunately I dont have
time to attend the gym. When I have the spare time, I would take a walk around the block or
attend a yoga class in town. According to people surveyed 67 percent consider themselves to be
moderately active, with 22 percent considered to be very active. The most common form of
exercise among the people surveyed is walking at 70 percent. 33 percent incorporate a higher
cardio activity such as biking or running into their exercise routine. While 26 percent do more
yoga and stretching. Throughout the United States more people are less active as they are
spending more time at home in front of the television, at work, or travelling. Maintaining a
healthy diet and exercise can manage several health problems from Heart disease, thyroid, high
blood pressure, as well as depression and anxiety. In this study 18 percent experience some kind
of depression and anxiety in their lives and 33 percent experience other underlining health
concerns from cholesterol, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, Lupus, Fibromyalgia and spinal
stenosis. On a positive note 52 percent confirm that they have no ongoing health concerns.
A sleep problem is the largest factor in the obesity epidemic, for the most common reason
that daytime drowsiness significantly decreases the ability to begin or sustain in an exercise
program. Its also known, that those who sleep poorly increase appetite and caloric intake during
the day. During this study, just like myself. 63 percent get the recommended 6 to 8 hours of sleep
each night while; 30 percent get 4 to 6 hours of sleep. In the same study 7 percent get only 1 to 3
hours of sleep per night.

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

In some cases smoking can contribute to weight gain as well. Fortunately this study
concluded that 89 percent of those surveyed are non-smokers. While it is unclear on how
smoking contributes to obesity, it is clear that alcohol and nicotine affects the way body fat is
distributed and is associated with central obesity and insulin resistance. The large number of 89
percent of non-smokers could be due to more education on the dangers of smoking. What is
unclear however is how many people recently just quit smoking or how many of the 11 percent
are heavy smokers versus light smokers. If those are actively quitting this may explain some of
the obesity.
The only concern with those surveyed is it seems though most of my friends, family and
colleagues have a problem with home cooking. With my colleagues we have started to tackle this
problem by implementing a salad bar lunch for all employees. This has kept most of us choosing
to eat a salad everyday rather than eating out. I also share recipes when found, particularly those
that are quick and easy, yet contain many health benefits. My colleagues and I support and
motivate each other in achieving our own health goals.
In conclusion, the majority of my friends, family and colleagues could be classified as
generally healthy. When comparing these numbers on a larger survey and at a national level in
more geographical areas. These numbers could also be different, if I wasnt around as their own
health coach and motivator.

A Healthy Lifestyles Study

Works Cited
Cha, Ariana Eunjung. "Seriously, America? Study Finds Mere 2.7 Percent of U.S. Adults Meet
Criteria for healthy Lifestyle." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2016.
Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
Chiolero, Arnaud, David Faeh, Fred Paccaud, and Jacques Cornuz. "The American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition." Consequences of Smoking for Body Weight, Body Fat Distribution,
and Insulin Resistance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Apr. 2008. Web. 14 Apr.
2016.
"Obesity and Sleep." Obesity & Sleep. National Sleep Foundation, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
"Adult Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
"Physical Activity." Obesity Prevention Source. Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 20
Oct. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.