Lifestyle Behaviors and the Risk of Death

Lifestyle Behaviors and the Risk of Death
According to the Center for Disease Control in the United
States, the life expectancy for American men is 75 (74.5)
and women is 80 (79.9). The top killers for men and top
killers for women are pretty similar. Here's the list. You
may be surprised:

For American Men, the top 8 causes of death over a lifetime
are:

No. 1 - Heart disease.
No. 2 - Cancer .
No. 3 - Accidents (unintentional injuries).
No. 4 - Stroke .
No. 5 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
No. 6 - Diabetes.
No. 7 - Pneumonia and influenza .
No. 8 - Suicide

For American Women, the top 8 causes of death over a
lifetime are:

No. 1 - Heart disease .
No. 2 - Cancer .
No. 3 - Stroke .
No. 4 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
No. 5 - Alzheimer's disease.
No. 6 - Diabetes .
No. 7 - Accidents .
No. 8 - Pneumonia and influenza

It's important to note that these "killers" are over a
lifetime, and that the major causes of death shift within
certain age groups.

If you are a woman in your 20s, accidents are your biggest
risk factor for death. Likewise, from ages 35 to 64, your
greatest risk is cancer. For men, from childhood until age
44, accidents are the most significant threat. From 55 to
64, cancer is the biggest cause of death.

Lung cancer is still by far the biggest cancer killer in
both sexes. 90% of this cancer is caused by cigarettes.
Prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, the other leading
cancers have all been associated with high fat diets,
overweight and lack of exercise. Smoking is also a primary
contributor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).

More than twice as many men as women die each year in
traffic accidents. Male drivers involved in such accidents
are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be
intoxicated.

Surprisingly, men commit suicide four times as often as
women do. Depression is estimated to affect 7 percent of
men in any given year and is a risk factor for suicide.
Substance abuse, more common in men, can mask depression.

More women than men have Alzheimer's. In fact, women die of
it at more than twice the rate that men do. One reason may
be that women generally live longer, and the risk of
Alzheimer's increases with age.

Putting all this together, the lifestyle behaviors you can
employ to lessen your chances of dying of the big killers
or at least putting them off look like this:

1. Avoid smoking, using other tobacco products and exposure
to passive smoke .
2. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. .
3. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain
products.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Control other health conditions that may put a strain on
your heart, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high
cholesterol. .
6. Maintain a healthy weight.
7. Limit saturated fats.
8. Be aware of potential cancer-causing substances
(carcinogens) in your home and workplace, and take steps to
reduce your exposure to these substances.
9. Have regular preventive health screenings.
10 Know your family medical history and review it with your
doctor.
11. Use your seat belt.
12. Keep your speed down when driving.
13. Don't drive while sleepy or under the influence of
drugs or alcohol.
14. Limit your exposure to sun and use sunscreen.

Nothing really new or earth shattering, just common sense!

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

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About the Author:
Ainsley Laing, MSc. has been a Fitness Trainer for 25 years
and writes exclusively Body for Mind eZine. She holds
certifications in Group Exercise, Sports Nutrition and
Personal Fitness Training. To see more articles by Ainsley
visit http://www.bodyformind.com or the blog at
http://www.bodyformind.blogspot.com