Retired+NFL+player+Vs.+Average+American



__**Myth:**__ “it appears that professional football players in both the United States and Canada have life expectancies in the mid- to late 50s,” researchers at Harvard Medical School. Stated by Kay Lazar ([|2], 2013)

__**Fact:**__ "Players had a much lower overall rate of death compared to men in the general U.S. population of similar age and racial mix. On average, NFL players are actually living longer than the average American male." ([|1], 2012)



 An average American male's’ diet is pretty much unhealthy. The typical eating patterns currently consumed by many in the United States do not align with the Dietary Guidelines ([|4], 2015). On average, American males have eating patterns that are low in vegetables, fruits, dairy, and oils. 3% of Americans live healthy lives so that means the other 97% are guilty of an unhealthy lifestyle. US adults consume an average of 3,400 mg/day of sodium, which is well above the current federal guideline of less than 2,300 mg daily ([|3], 2017). The average male takes in 2,512 calories for each day. Men's caloric intake reaches its height during their 30s to 40s, when they ingest around 2,730 calories per day. Majority of an American's eating habits is from starches. The average American male takes in around 296 grams of sugars a day. Despite the fact that these intake numbers are inside the Institute of Medicine's suggestion that carbohydrates ought to make up 45 to 65 percent of total caloric input, Americans eat more sugar and less fiber than they should. The American Heart Association suggests that men should take in close to around 150 calories every day from added sugar, yet the average American male gets around 476 calories from sugar, with an input of 119 grams of sugar day by day.



Americans eat more protein than they require. The Institute of Medicine encourages men to get 56 grams of protein daily, yet the average American male takes in about 100 grams of protein daily. Numerous protein sources, including red meat, eggs and dairy items, are high in fat and cholesterol, which expands the danger of cardiovascular issues and diseases (Health and Medicine Division). A high input of these types of foods add to the fact that heart attacks and strokes are among the main sources of death in the United States. Fat should contribute to 20 to 35 percent of your overall caloric intake. The average American man takes in 93 grams of fat for each day. With every gram of fat having 9 calories, this compares to 837 calories from fat for men, possibly surpassing the suggested sum. Saturated fat represents 33% of American males’ fat intake, but the Institute of Medicine advises Americans to eat Saturated fat moderately, as it can build your danger of heart diseases.



Studies found that NFL players lived longer than the normal male due to numerous factors ([|1], 2016). 3,439 players were incorporated into the examination, and 334 were perished before the finish of 2007. In light of racial distribution, age, and year, the normal number of passings for a male population of that size was 625. The study additionally specifically says that it is likely in light of the fact that NFL players smoked cigarettes far less oftentimes than the general population everywhere amid this day and age and were way more fit than the average American. Players who had a playing-time BMI of 30 or more had twice the risk of death from heart disease compared to other players. Similar findings have been noted in other studies. Offensive and defensive linemen were more likely to have a BMI greater than 30. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese in the general population whereas a healthy BMI is between 18.5-24.9 ([|1], 2016). The retired NFL players died from cancer at a much lower rate, especially with lung cancer. The retired players were likewise far less inclined to die from other different illnesses, for example, tuberculosis and immunodeficiency diseases, diabetes, mental and identity disorders, other respiratory infections, and stomach related diseases. Players’ body composition (more muscle mass) and high fitness levels likely also contribute to their longer lifespan compared to the general U.S. population, especially given their increased size ([|1], 2016).

**__Work Cited Page __**


 * 1) “NIOSH Science Blog.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Dec. 2016, @https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog.
 * 2)  Lazar, Kay. “NFL Players Union and Harvard Team up on Landmark Study of Football Injuries and Illness.” Boston.com, The Boston Globe, 28 Jan. 2013, [|www.boston.com/culture/health/2013/01/28/nfl-players-union-and-harvard-team-up-on-landmark-study-of-football-injuries-and-illness] .
 * 3) Secretary, HHS Office of the, and President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. “Facts & Statistics.” HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 26 Jan. 2017, [|www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html]
 * 4) “Chapter 2 Shifts Needed To Align With Healthy Eating Patterns.” Current Eating Patterns in the United States - 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, [|www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-2/current-eating-patterns-in-the-united-states/].