Adopting a healthy lifestyle could substantially reduce premature mortality and prolong life expectancy in US adults. The BMJ study states, “adherence to a healthy lifestyle at mid-life is associated with a longer life expectancy free of major chronic diseases.” That message is missing in patient communication with HCPs.

Genetics, the environment, and lifestyle influence the duration of human life (longevity). Environmental improvements in the 1900s extended the average life span with significant improvements in food and clean water availability, better housing and living conditions, reduced exposure to infectious diseases, and access to medical care. Most significant were public health advances that reduced premature death by decreasing the risk of infant mortality, increasing the chances of surviving childhood, and avoiding infection and communicable diseases. Now people in the United States live about 80 years on average, but some survive much longer.

A study of approximately 13,000 older adults (median age at baseline: 74 years) followed up for 28 years showed that those who spent any amount of time in physical activity (even 30 min per day) had a 15-35% lower risk of mortality than those who spent no time in physical activity. But that message must be recovered with large orders of fries and a cheeseburger.

I have said many times on this site that obesity is a considerable healthcare threat. Obesity has been linked to several common cancers, including breast, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, gallbladder, uterine, pancreatic, and liver cancer. Obesity also increases the risk of dying from cancer and may influence treatment choices. About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Now people are flocking to the new weight loss drugs which could cost them over $10,000 a year.

The CDC says “that being overweight or having obesity is linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer. These cancers comprise 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States annually. Many things are associated with cancer, but avoiding tobacco use and keeping a healthy weight are two of the most important steps to lower your cancer risk.”

But I’m a foodie!

People love to make up excuses for being obese. Food can become an addiction very quickly. Eating unhealthy foods can lead to obesity, and people would rather spend an hour or so cooking high-fat meals than going for a walk.

Exercise is too much of a problem.

That’s an excuse, and you know it. Exercise doesn’t need to be a sweat-soaked shirt; it can be as simple as walking around the block every day. My friend Mikey beat type two diabetes by walking and eating smaller meals even though everyone in his family is overweight.

But…

Unfortunately, some people have psychological issues that cause unhealthy lifestyles. Our healthcare system is not designed to help them, costing us all.

Health insurers are always looking for ways to make more money. They’re missing a deeper exploration of motivating people to exercise more and eat healthier. If just 5% of the population did that, we could save billions.