Chronic Disease Service Promoting health behaviors throughout the lifespan. Smoking is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and stroke, cervical cancer, colon cancer, oral and esophageal cancers, and diabetes. 3,000 youths under the age of 18 start smoking each day. Smoking during adolescence is strongly linked to becoming a regular adult smoker. It can also reduce the severity of arthritis symptoms and lead to improved strength and endurance, healthy bones and muscles, and weight control.
Women are slightly more likely than men to report no leisure-time physical activity.
Lack of physical activity combined with poor nutrition are second only to tobacco as a factor leading to cause of death. A diet that is low in saturated fats and includes five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day plays a key role in maintaining good health. Improving the American diet could extend productive life span and reduce the occurrence of chronic disease, including total cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Poor nutrition combined with lack of physical activity are second only to tobacco as a factor leading to cause of death. An unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity are the major contributors to being overweight.