Habits Slow Progress on Heart Disease

We’re making progress, but our habits are still undermining our health. That’s the conclusion of a new report from the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA wants to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths 20% by 2020. But with current trends, we can expect only a 6% reduction, the report said. Obesity, smoking and lack of exercise are slowing down progress. About 68% of U.S. adults and 32% of children are overweight or obese. Nearly 33% of adults get no exercise at all in a typical week, the report says. Even in high school, 18% of girls and 10% of boys get less than an hour of aerobic exercise each week. Smoking rates are down, but 21% of men, 18% of women and 17% of high school students still smoke. About 8% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. The report says broad measures will be needed to encourage change.