Study reveals Americans more unhealthy than ever

A new study into the health of Americans suggests that despite health warnings, we’re still not ready to put down the fast food.

Even though we are inundated with information about the benefits of living and eating better, most Americans haven’t improved their lifestyles in recent years, a new study said.

The number of Americans who met all five of a healthy checklist – work out three times a week, eat your veggies, don’t drink or smoke – actually went down from 15% to 8% in the past two decades.

Some New Yorkers weren’t surprised that the rat race has gotten the better of Americans; “In New York, life is too busy to worry about health,” said Donald Lora, 25, outside a Manhattan KFC outlet. “Fast food is cheap and convenient.”

Others admitted busy schedules often force them off the health wagon; “The work/life balance is out of balance,” said Sam Abbate, 49, of Old Bethpage, L.I. “People get stressed and things like physical fitness are what goes.”

The University of South Carolina study, published in the American Medical Journal, says physical activity and healthy eating rates are down, while obesity is up.

The number of people who fit the healthy profile in all five categories is way down and the number that get four stars has dropped from 45% to 32%. The latest surveys were done from 2003 to ’06.

The numbers didn’t add up to everyone.

“That shocks me,” said Mike Deutsch, 43, coming from a workout at his upper West Side gym. “Our world is so educated about health issues.”

“The gyms are always packed, parks are filled with people running,” added Ray Koscinski, 51, of the upper West Side.

Fresh from a seniors aerobics class, 91-year-old Eleanor Gittens said she believes folks are more health-conscious than they’ve ever been during her nearly century of life.

“I’d take the study with a grain of salt,” said the retired English professor, who lives in Brooklyn Heights.

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