You are never too old to make positive lifestyle changes. Stopping smoking, exercising more, losing weight, eating better, etc. are often things we think about doing, but never quite get around to them.
However, the results of new research indicate that Brits will
typically wait until just before they reach the big ’4-0′ before
experiencing a ‘health wake-up call’ and making these lifestyle
improvements.
It seems at the age of 39 is when we
start to fret about all the bad dietary and lifestyle habits we have had
over the previous few decades, and what implications these may have for
our long-term health.
The worry is so severe amongst people around this age that three
quarters actually go to drastic lengths to try and turn things around
and make big lifestyle alterations such as giving up cigarettes,
starting to exercise more, eat more fruit and vegetables, or even quit
their job.
The new study quizzed 2,000 adults aged 25 and over about their
lifestyle habits and discovered that a whopping 85% are starting to be
concerned about the impact to their health that their current lifestyle
will have.
Over half of the participants commented that they are starting to eat more fruit and vegetables, with 45% adopting a more balanced diet than they have in the past, whilst 49% have begun to do more exercise.
Other popular lifestyle changes were reducing alcohol intake,
starting to take health or vitamin supplements, and cutting back on the
amount of fried food or takeaways eaten.
The biggest motivation for kick-starting positive lifestyle changes
seemed to be ‘starting to feel old’, and 16% had suffered a minor health
scare which had prompted them to change for the better.
A milestone birthday had encouraged an additional 15% of respondents
to worry about their health, whilst one in ten decided to make changes
following a friend or family member suffering an illness as a result of a
lifestyle choice.
Professor Alf Lindberg, Science Director and brains behind the ‘tomato pill’ Ateronon,
commented: “I have spent a lifetime dedicated to preventing and curing
diseases. But it never ceases to amaze me how easily people are prepared
to throw away their good health by abusing their bodies with poor diet,
booze and lack of exercise. This survey is yet more evidence of that –
it seems that people leave it until they reach the age of 39 before they
start to take their health seriously. Research shows us that the more
you look after yourself in your early years, the more likely you are to
live a longer and healthier life.”
Top ten lifestyle changes
1. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
2. Do more exercise.
3. Have a more balanced diet.
4. Eat less fried food/takeaways.
5. Cut back on alcohol.
6. Take vitamin/health supplements.
7. Learn to relax/take time out.
8. Give up smoking.
9. Cut down on the number of cigarettes.
10. Stop drinking alcohol.
Top ten wake-up calls
1. Starting to feel old.
2. A minor health scare.
3. Reaching a milestone birthday.
4. A serious health scare.
5. A friend falling ill due to their lifestyle.
6. The death of a friend or relative.
7. Being told off by a doctor.
8. Watching something on TV.
9. Reading an article in a newspaper.
10. Research on the internet.
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