Youths Health Beliefs Clash with Reality

DALLASA folly of youth is believing health is better than it actually is, according to a survey from the American Stroke Association, which found 90 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 believe theyre living healthy lifestyles even though they eat too much fast food, drink too many alcoholic and sugar-sweetened beverages, and engage in other behaviors. Forty-three percent of this age group were least concerned about cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to other conditions.

Most 18 to 24 year olds said they want to live long and maintain quality health throughout their life. On average, they want to live to age 98. Yet, one-third of those surveyed dont believe engaging in healthy behaviors now could affect their risk of stroke in the future and 18 percent could not identify at least one stroke risk factor.

However as people age, they become more aware of their overall health and risk factors for heart disease and stroke, according to the survey. Among 35 to 44 year olds, only 22 percent said they were not concerned about CVDs and conditions, including heart disease/heart attack, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and stroke. Yet, about half (48 percent) of them are more likely to have health concerns they struggle with today.

In another age group, 36 percent of 25 to 34 year olds said they were not concerned about CVD and related conditions. Long life with quality health was noted as a goal for 25 to 44 year olds. The average age this group wishes to reach is 91. Eight in 10 people between ages 25 and 44 years old believe theyre living healthy lifestyles and were more likely to engage in healthy behaviors than 18 to 24 year olds participating in the survey.

The results are part of a survey of 1,248 Americans ages 18 to 44 on their attitudes about health, including influences of and beliefs about health behaviors and their risks for stroke.