Young Adults' Perception of Own Lifestyle Is Skewed

Teenagers and young adults in the United States tend to think that they are much healthier, and that they lead a better lifestyle, than they actually do. This misconception exposes them to increases health risks, because they are more tented to engage in risky health behaviors.

In a recent survey, 1,248 American citizens aged between 18 and 44 were questioned about the opinions they had on healthy behaviors, and on health in general. Experts were seeking to assess the attitudes that the general population has on these issues.

The study group was further divided between adults and young adults (aged 18 to 24). In the latter, experts discovered a will to live a long life. Young adults tended to express their wish to live until the age of 98, and to be healthy all the way.

Of people in this subgroup, about 18 percent were unable to name a single factor that could increase their risk of suffering a stroke later in life. Nearly 33 percent of young adults said that they do not believe in engaging in healthy behaviors early in life, in order to reduce their risk of stroke later.

“This survey shows the dangerous disconnect that many young Americans have about how their behaviors affect their risks for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases,” explains the president of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, neurologist Ralph Sacco, MD.

Official statistics show that stroke is now the leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that stoke kills one American every 40 seconds.

For the purpose of this study, a healthy lifestyle was defined as eating a low-fat diet, consuming fruits and vegetables, buying less highly-processed foods, drinking alcohol in moderation, exercising, not smoking and keeping weight levels in check.

“Starting healthy behaviors at a young age is critical to entering middle age in good shape. The investment you make in your health now will have a large payoff as you age,” the expert adds, quoted by PsychCentral.

“We want everyone – especially young people – to strive to avoid stroke, which can affect anyone at any age. Young adults need to make a connection between healthy behaviors and a healthy brain and healthy heart,” Sacco explains.

“If we are not able to help young adults understand the relevance of their actions now and their risk of stroke tomorrow, then we could be looking at an increase in stroke diagnoses and deaths within the next 10 to 20 years,” the expert concludes.