It is now widely accepted based on many high quality studies that many preventable health problems-including about half of all premature deaths-are caused by:

• lack of physical activity

• improper diet

• tobacco use, alcohol misuse, and illicit drug use

• motor vehicle crashes

• unsafe sexual behavior

• toxic agents

• firearm use

Our lifestyle and habits have the greatest impact on how healthy we are. By improving our personal health behaviors and pursuing a healthier lifestyle, we have the greatest potential to address the fundamental causes of health problems. There is ample medical evidence that lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and excess body weight negatively affect the health of individuals throughout their lives.

Such factors are known to contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis, and may be related to longevity. As such, they contribute to some of the leading causes of death of our adults.

When positive health habits are introduced and adopted at an early age, there is a greater chance that these habits will be continued into adulthood. This is particularly important because poor exercise habits, nutrition practices, and weight patterns prove to be extremely difficult for most adults to change.

The community health survey measured different aspects of each of these topics. In many ways, our findings reflect concerns known to affect Americans nationally and within California. Overall, our adults and children do not exercise enough, their diets need improvement, and a substantial proportion are overweight.