1995 25 percent of Maine adults smoke

2005 20.8 percent of Maine adults smoke

Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion

Fast food nutritional sampling

Burger King Whopper with cheese 2001 2006

Total fat 47 g 42 g

Calories 780 730

Cholesterol 105 mg 95 mg

Carbohydrates 55 g 55 g

Protein 34 g 33 g

McDonald’s Big Mac 2001 2006

Total fat 34 g 30 g

Calories 590 560

Cholesterol 85 mg 80 mg

Carbohydrates 47 g 47 g

Protein 24 g 25 g

Wendy’s Big Bacon Classic 2001 2006

Total fat 31 g 30 g

Calories 580 590

Cholesterol 95 mg 90 mg

Carbohydrates 45 g 46 g

Protein 33 g 34 g

*Source: Restaurant Web nutrition guides

Do we think our health is improving?

1995

3.7 percent Adults who report themselves to be in poor health

9.2 percent Adults who report themselves to be in fair health

26.3 percent Adults who report themselves to be in good health

28.7 percent Adults who report themselves to be in very good health

32.1 percent Adults who report themselves to be in excellent health

2005

4.6 percent Adults who report themselves to be in poor health

10.1 percent Adults who report themselves to be in fair health

27.8 percent Adults who report themselves to be in good health

37.3 percent Adults who report themselves to be in very good health

20.1 percent Adults who report themselves to be in excellent health

Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion

Risky business

Smoking: Compared with nonsmokers, smokers are 10 times more likely to die of lung disease and two times more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes. Smoking is the largest avoidable cause of premature death and disabilities in the United States.

Obesity: Excessive body fat contributes to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, raising the risk for heart disease.

High blood pressure: Adult one in every four Americans has high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure by about 200 percent, compared to those who do not have hypertension.

Diabetes: People with diabetes – which is the inadequate secretion or function of insulin to control bood sugar – have a 2- to 8-fold greater risk of heart failure than those without diabetes.

Cholesterol: Cholesterol and fat, circulating in the blood, build up in the walls of arteries, narrowing passages and slowing or blocking the flow of blood. The genetic composition of French Canadians puts them at special risk for high cholesterol.

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