Want a few reasons to feel superior...
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Want a few reasons to feel superior in that old California-versus-New-York debate? Turns out that as a state we smoke less, fasten seat belts more and are actually thinner. We also eat more vegetables and exercise more often. Well, New Yorkers can counter that they feel in better health, drink themselves silly less often and actually drink and drive less.
Who is keeping track of all this information? The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of course, which conducts monthly surveys on just how well Americans keep themselves. There aren’t many surprises. Southerners are more likely to smoke; Midwesterners, to be overweight; and Westerners, to exercise. But before we get too huffy about being physically superior to so many, the highest honor of gold star goes to Miss Hawaii, who is trim and fabulously tanned. The latest figures are from 1994-95 and were published by American Demographics. Hey, there’s always next year. . .we mean, last year.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
State scores for health and safety risk behavior, 1994-95
California
Have fair/poor health: 14.3%
Current smoker: 15.5
Don’t always use seat belt: 5.5
Binge drinking past month: 15.3
Ever drink and drive: 1.9
Overweight measured by body mass: 26.4
No physical leisure activity past month: 22.7
Don’t get 5 fruits/vegetables daily: 71.0
*
New York
Have fair/poor health: 11.6%
Current smoker: 21.5
Don’t always use seat belt: 15.1
Binge drinking past month: 12.4
Ever drink and drive: 0.9
Overweight measured by body mass: 27.8
No physical leisure activity past month: 37.1
Don’t get 5 fruits/vegetables daily: 80.1
*
U.S. average
Have fair/poor health: 13.9%
Current smoker: 22.2
Don’t always use seat belt: 15.3
Binge drinking past month: 13.7
Ever drink and drive: 2.3
Overweight measured by body mass: 28.5
No physical leisure activity past month: 29.8
Don’t get 5 fruits/vegetables daily: 76.1
