For over 25 years I have been a participant in the Healthcare Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) sponsored by the Harvard School of Public Health. It is the world's largest, detailed long-term study of men's health. I fill out periodic, detailed questionnaires about my diet, exercise patterns, medical issues that develop and medications. The study has access to my medical records and occasionally even takes blood samples.What they seek to learn is the effect that dietary and lifestyle choices have on disease.
In their recent newsletter, they reported on cardiovascular disease (CVD). While we all know the risk factors for CVD, I was astonished at what a large difference lifestyle makes. For example, men with a body mass index of 30 or higher (categorically obese) have more than DOUBLE the risk of skinny guys.
They also analyzed "low-risk lifestyle" choices which include prudent diet, regular exercise, weight management, moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking. Men who achieved all five of these factors had a whopping 87% lower risk for CVD than those who achieved none of the factors. Even men who were taking medications for high cholesterol or high blood pressure showed lower disease incidence if they maintained a low-risk lifestyle in addition to the medications.
I was pretty much blown away by these numbers. We all know that low risk behavior makes us healthier but I had no idea that the magnitude of the effect was so great. I guess I'll keep eating salads and working out at the Y.
