Many Americans Worried About Brain Health, But Only Half Keep Their Brains Fit, According to New Survey
Posted on: Monday, 15 November 2004, 15:00 CST
CHICAGO, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national survey released today by the Alzheimer's Association shows that Americans aged 55-64 rank brain and memory health as their second greatest health worry as they age. Yet only half say they are actually doing something about keeping their brain healthy. In response, the Alzheimer's Association is launching Maintain Your Brain(TM) workshops across the country and releasing a new "how-to" brochure and a helpful list that describes "Ten Ways to Maintain Your Brain(TM)."
"Brain and memory health is increasingly becoming a concern for many Americans," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "But awareness is not enough. We need to reach people now with information on how they can keep their brains healthy and potentially reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, especially the nation's 77 million baby boomers who are the next generation at risk."
Released in conjunction with National Alzheimer's Disease Month in November, the survey results also show that many people need guidance on how to stay brain-healthy through proper diet, exercise, and mental and social activities. Only 52 percent of adults nationwide say they engage in activities specifically for the purpose of exercising and building brain memory. Although adults do not connect certain activities to brain health, they are doing a number of activities that strengthen the brain. Specifically, most adults "make a special effort to choose foods that are healthier" (77 percent), "read a book" (76 percent) or "walk a mile or more" (57 percent).
The Alzheimer's Association's Maintain Your Brain(TM) campaign encourages Americans to adopt brain-healthy lifestyle habits -- such as being heart smart; adopting a brain-healthy diet; staying physically and mentally active; and remaining socially involved -- to contribute to healthier aging and potentially reduce their risk for Alzheimer's. To inform more Americans about what they can do to keep their brains healthy, the Alzheimer's Association Maintain Your Brain(TM) workshops will target baby boomers and others and encourage them to follow the simple, brain-healthy lifestyle choices that are described in the "Ten Ways to Maintain Your Brain(TM)."
In addition, the Association is offering a new brochure with tips, how-to information and inspiration for getting brain-healthy. To learn more about the local workshops or to obtain a copy of the brochure and the "Ten Ways," call the Association's 24-hour Nationwide Contact Center at 800-272-3900 or visit the Association's Web site at http://www.alz.org/ .
The survey was conducted Oct. 1-3, 2004, by phone among a representative sample of 1,000 adults age 18 and older living in the United States. The margin of error was +/- 3.1 percentage points. Some of the key findings include:
-- Among adults aged 55-64, 31 percent are most worried about their heart
health, followed by brain and memory health (23 percent) and then
cancer (19 percent).
-- When asked what specific activities they currently engage in to
exercise their brains and build memory, 53 percent said "reading," and
31 percent said "puzzles" or "games." Only 12 percent said exercise.
-- Adults in the Northeast are the least likely to say they engage in
these activities. Forty-five percent say they do, compared to 52
percent in the Midwest, 53 percent in the South and 54 percent in the
West.
National Alzheimer's Disease Month is an annual, national observance that was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to increase public awareness and federal research funding to find treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's disease. When President Reagan launched National Alzheimer's Disease Month, fewer than two million Americans had the disease. Today, the estimated number with Alzheimer's has more than doubled to 4.5 million.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. Having awarded more than $165 million to nearly 1,400 projects, the Alzheimer's Association is the largest private non-governmental funder of Alzheimer research. To sustain the rapid progress, the Association calls for $1 billion in annual federal funding for Alzheimer research. For more information about Alzheimer's disease, visit http://www.alz.org/ or call 800-272-3900.
10 Ways to Maintain Your Brain(TM) from the Alzheimer's Association
1. Head first
Good health starts with your brain. It's one of the most vital body organs, and it needs care and maintenance.
2. Take brain health to heart
What's good for the heart is good for the brain. Do something every day to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke -- all of which can increase your risk of Alzheimer's.
3. Your numbers count
Keep your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within recommended ranges.
4. Feed your brain
Eat less fat and more antioxidant-rich foods.
5. Work your body
Physical exercise keeps the blood flowing and may encourage new brain cells. Do what you can -- like walking 30 minutes a day -- to keep both body and mind active.
6. Jog your mind
Keeping your brain active and engaged increases its vitality and builds reserves of brain cells and connections. Read, write, play games, learn new things, do crossword puzzles.
7. Connect with others
Leisure activities that combine physical, mental and social elements may be most likely to prevent dementia. Be social, converse, volunteer, join a club or take a class.
8. Heads up! Protect your brain
Take precautions against head injuries. Use your car seat belts; unclutter your house to avoid falls; and wear a helmet when cycling or rollerblading.
9. Use your head
Avoid unhealthy habits. Don't smoke, drink excessive alcohol or use street drugs.
10. Think ahead - start today!
You can do something today to protect your tomorrow.
Alzheimer's Association
CONTACT: Laura Kush of Alzheimer's Association, +1-312-335-5887,laura.kush@alz.org , or Alzheimer's Association media line, +1-312-335-4078,media@alz.org
Web site: http://www.alz.org/
Source: PRNewswire
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