Life Is Short…And Getting Shorter

Bad habits a big factor

We’ve lost six years off our life expectancy in Canada based on a study done by The Ottawa Hospital. Lead researcher Doug Manuel suggests alcohol, lack of exercise and poor nutrition are contributing to half the deaths in Canada. His team used an online calculator called Project Big Life to estimate life expectancy based on lifestyle choices. Pollution is also a factor. As for those bad habits:

  • 26 per cent of all deaths can be attributed to smoking — this is the top risk factor for men, representing a loss of 3.1 years
  • 24 per cent of all deaths can be attributed to physical inactivity — this is the top risk factor for women, representing a loss of 3 years
  • 12 per cent of all deaths can be attributed to poor diet
  • 0.4 per cent of all deaths can be attributed to unhealthy alcohol consumption

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photo: Hanna Sörensson via Flickr