Study Finds Americans have Unhealthy Habits

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The latest government figures offer more proof that many Americans continue

to lead unhealthy lifestyles.

The majority of U.S. adults are overweight, nearly one in five are daily

smokers, and one in five consumed at least five alcoholic drinks in a day

at least once in a year, a national health survey finds.

The data, for 1999 to 2001, examines the health behavior of 96,000 adults

ages 18 and older and is broken down by gender, race, education and

income. It is contained in a report released yesterday by the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health

Statistics.

The study found that Asian adults are more likely than other racial

groups to behave more healthily in terms of alcohol use, smoking and

body weight. Black adults are less physically active in leisure time and

have higher obesity rates than white adults.

Black men are more likely than white men to smoke, but among women

the reverse is true. Adults with higher levels of education and income

generally have more favorable health behavior.