Live longer to be sick longer?
Apr 7th, 2009 by Giselle
We are living longer, thanks to medical advances. However, we are getting sicker earlier and staying sick longer. Read on to find out why.
Research by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that since the late 1980’s life expectancy has increased by 6 years for men and 4 years for women, with men living until 79 while women until 83.7 years. This is good news indeed! Unfortunately this does not mean we are healthier than previous generations! Quite on the contrary, we are actually just sick for longer. That was the message during the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association Conference held in Sydney last month.
They say Australia is the lucky country. However, the fact remains that despite a decade of unprecedented wealth, limitless choices, advanced healthcare, we are not as “well” as we should be. We are staring down the barrel of a chronic disease crisis of unprecedented proportion. Obesity, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer are leading causes of preventable death.
To date, the health impact of overweight and obesity are yet to be experienced in this country. Our current health infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle the fast rising “tsunami”. So what should we do about this burgeoning problem? The answer is not to have more doctors to meet the needs of a rapidly ailing population. Instead, we have to take responsibility for our health. The onus is on each of us to make sure we keep as healthy as possible by making life-enhancing lifestyle changes.
Did you know that during World War II, health improved in the general population in England? This was because the English were forced to a basic daily diet of wholemeal bread, potatoes and home-grown vegetables. Eggs, milk, butter, salt, sugar and meat were strictly rationed. Food restrictions actually brought on unexpected health improvement!
During the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Conference, Professor Garry Egger echoed the same view when he spoke about the inverse relationship between the state of the economy and population health. He showed a graph depicting predictable improved state of health with each economic crisis over the last century. It is ironic that improved economic conditions is consistent with bad health outcomes. This is a clear sign that we are victims of excesses or “the good life”.
What do you think? What active steps are you taking to improve your state of health?
NB: Professor Egger is also the Director, Centre for Health Promotion and Research, Sydney, and author of ‘Health, ‘ill-th’ and economic growth: Medicine, environment and economics at the cross-roads’, a soon-to-be published paper in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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I find this quite fascinating – we’re not healthier thus living longer, instead we are just sick for longer before we die. Not a nice average, but good to know from a scientist. And to answer your question, I eat more vegetables and I have cut french fries and other deep fried foods pretty much out of my diet. I find that I quite enjoy soups with greens in them (am I weird?).
I also picked some physical exercise hobbies (roller blading and ice skating), as gyms do not appeal to me at all.
My question is, is there anything else I should do? Do you recommend becoming a vegetarian to live longer while remaining healthy? What are the odds for us meat eaters when compared to vegetarians?
Hi Gabrielle,
Good question indeed! First and foremost, congratulations for choosing to have more greens in your diet.
Well, done for taking up roller blading and ice-skating. It does not matter that gyms do not appeal to you. It is more important that you do a sport that you are passionate about, enjoy participating in and strongly desire to get good at. Making a lifestyle change is like running a marathon, it has to last the distance. It is not a sprint by any means at all.
The EPIC study has shown that vegetarians have lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, lower incidence of Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.
The Adventist Health Study 2 showed that vegetarianism, nut consumption, physical activity, absence of past smoking and healthy weight, each appear to contribute an extra 2-3 years to ones life expectancy. That is an extra whopping 12.5 healthy years! Certainly something worthwhile fighting for.
Hi Ms Giselle,
The concept of living longer and in chronic pain is not an appealing thought. I wonder if you could maybe put some information on your web regarding chronic reflux and foods that might help or hinder? I know many who suffer such and anything you could suggest would be well received. You web site is very impressive – excellent balance of good research with some well targeted motivation. I think a lot of our approach to our inner health must start between the ears rather than in the belly or the mouth. Thank you again for this amazing resource and your beaming smile.
Keep up the awesome work.
Hi Raphael,
Thanks very much for your kind encouragement.
Oesophageal reflux is a condition caused by stomach acid being pushed from the stomach into the oesophagus. This acid burns the oesophageal lining causing discomfort or “heartburn”.
There are no specific diets for reflux management, just some treatment guidelines.
1. First and foremost, have small frequent meals. Aim to have 6 meals a day; volume of each main meal should not exceed that of your clenched fist. This prevents overfilling.
2. Do not drink any fluids at each meal. This includes clear soups, water and fruit juices.
3. Last meal of the day should be light and eaten at least 3 hours before retiring.
4. Avoid or limit alcohol, fatty foods and caffeine-rich foods like black tea, coffee, coke, cocoa and chocolate. These foods may relax the oesophageal sphincter (muscle connecting oesophagus with stomach).
5. Excess body weight aggravates condition. Lose some weight if necessary.
6. Avoid or limit spicy foods like curry, chilli, garlic, onion and black pepper as they may cause “heartburn”.
7. Aim to have a fibre-rich diet to prevent constipation. Straining can exacerbate reflux.
Hope you find these guidelines useful.