Recommended preventive care

Men and women are different in many ways. But when it comes to health, everyone can benefit from prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if everyone in the U.S. received the recommended clinical preventive care, more than 100,000 lives could be saved each year. 

Preventive screenings

Screenings can detect illness at an early stage, when treatment is likely to work best. Some examples are:

• Tests for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol
• STD screenings for sexually transmitted diseases
• Cancer screenings including mammograms and colonoscopies

Ask your doctor which screenings are right for you. 

Healthy weight

We’ve all heard of, and may have even tried, fad diets. But these can limit your nutritional intake. The key to maintaining a healthy weight isn’t short-term dietary changes. It’s about a lifestyle that includes physical activity and healthy eating.

Physical activity

Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Move more and sit less. Some physical activity is better than none! 

Clean eating

According to the Mayo Clinic, clean eating is choosing whole, natural foods over processed and refined ones. It involves some key principles:

• Eat for nourishment. Eat regular, balanced meals and prepare your food in healthy ways.
• Eat more plant-based foods. Eat more plant-based proteins and high-protein whole grains.
• Clean up your act. Get plenty of physical activity and sleep and manage your stress in healthy ways.

BMI

Body mass index, or BMI, is a way to determine whether you’re at a healthy weight for your height. BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. 

A BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.

• If your BMI is below 18.5, you are probably underweight.
• If your BMI is 25 or over, you are probably overweight.
• If your BMI is over 30, you are classified as obese. 

BMI is not a magic formula. It does not diagnose body fat or health. Your doctor will look at other factors as well.

No matter who you are, a few simple lifestyle changes can improve your health. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mayo Clinic are independent organizations that offer health information that you may find helpful.