Canadian baby boomers have big aspirations for their golden years, but their current lifestyle choices could keep them from making these dreams a reality. The Heart and Stroke Foundation's 2013 Report on the Health of Canadians titled Reality Check warns that without immediate action, baby boomers may spend their last years in sickness, disability and immobility.
Although Canadians are living longer, according to Statistics Canada, on average, there's a 10-year gap between how long we live, and how long we live in health. This gap is mainly due to heart disease, stroke and other chronic conditions.
A new Heart and Stroke Foundation poll* found that while almost 80 per cent of Canadian boomers think their doctors would rate them as healthy, their self-reported lifestyle choices show otherwise.
A huge majority of boomers reported not eating enough vegetables and fruit (85 per cent), more than 40 per cent are not getting enough physical activity each week, one in five (21 per cent) smoke, and one in 10 (11 per cent) are heavy drinkers. While the large majority of boomers said they feel stressed at least sometimes, almost 30 per cent flag they are often or always stressed.
According to the Foundation, Canadians have the power to Make Health Last and shrink the 10-year gap between how long they live and how long they live with health by addressing five controllable behaviours that can affect heart disease and stroke risk: physical inactivity, smoking, stress, poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption. By making lifestyle changes in these areas, Canadians can change their future and gain health and quality of life in their later years.
Physical inactivity results in nearly four years of quality life lost
Everything counts, even gardening, housework or dancing with your kids or grandkids, getting off the bus or subway a stop early, taking the stairs. The recommended amount is 150 minutes of moderate- to-vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, and it can take place in bouts of 10 minutes or more. Moderate intensity activities include brisk walking or bike riding. Vigorous intensity may mean jogging or cross-country skiing.
Eating a poor diet equals nearly three years of quality life lost
By following the recommendations in Canada's Food Guide you can be sure that you'll meet your daily requirements for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, which will reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Here are Healthy Eating Recommendations.
Keep a food diary, eat out less, eat smaller portions, eat more vegetables and fruit, cut back on sugar-sweetened drinks.
Excessive stress can cost nearly two years or more of quality life
Identify the source of your stress and what is bothering you. Share your feelings, talk to friends, family or professionals. Be physically active, take time for yourself and take breaks to get away from it all. Laugh more and try relaxation techniques. Check out the Heart and Stroke Foundation's brochure Coping with Stress.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living.
