Time for a health quiz:
1) Do you smoke? If you do, go no further, you have already
flunked. If you don't, give yourself 2 points. If you have
stopped more than ten years ago, you still get two points; if
less, give yourself one.
2) Do you exercise regularly? Two points. Ever take the
stairs instead of the elevator (at least once a day)? Give
yourself another point.
3) Are you overweight? If you are male, give yourself 106
pounds, and add to it 6 pounds for every inch you are over 5
feet. If you are female, start at 100 and add 5 pounds. If
your true weight is greater than ten pounds more than what
you calculate, subtract 2 points. If you eat eggs more than
once a week, eat red meat or have high cholesterol, subtract
another two points. If it takes you less than ten minutes to
eat, then subtract one more -- you are stressed out. If you
can go through a day with your only vegetable intake being
corn, potatoes, or ketchup, subtract another point. Ever eat
oatmeal, bran cereal or lots of fruit? Give yourself 2
points. Moderate, and I mean moderate, intake of the
following: salt, coffee, sweets -- one point. If you eat
bread with margarine or butter, or eat foods with high levels
of fats, drop another one.
4) Live alone? Subtract 3 points. If you are married with
children in the house add 3 points. If you find your life
situation or job stressful, subtract another two. If you
think the above type of people are nuts, then subtract
another point. If you are learning full time or in your spare
time, give yourself another three points. If you have been
out with your spouse just you two alone at least once in the
last month -- add another point. If you have cried once
within the last month -- add a point. If you have broken
something in the house in anger within the last month
subtract one. If you have a hobby, give yourself a point. If
you have worked overtime more than four times a month,
subtract one.
5) Last time you saw a doctor not for childbirth or had a
general checkup: Give yourself 2 points if it's been less
than 2 years. If you have had a mammogram, pap smear if you
are over 50 and female within the last year, or you have had
a prostate exam and are male, give yourself a point. Had a
checkup for colon cancer, or a clear cardiac stress test
within the last year add another point.
6) If you read my articles or other sources of medical
knowledge, give yourself three points. If you have a doctor
you can contact 24 hours a day or one who speaks your native
tongue, give yourself another 3 points.
7) If you have heart disease or diabetes or have it in the
family, subtract three. If you can't remember to take your
medication on a daily basis, subtract two.
If after all this you have twelve or more
points you are in good shape. If you have less than one point
you need to read my article on the invincible Israeli male
again. If you are in between, well, perhaps you need some
improvements. Want some ideas on how? Write me in care of
Yated.
Message from Glaxo, the sponsor of this column: Don't let
exercise induced asthma have you wheezing any time you are
playing with your friends. Serevent is a potent anti-
exercise- induced-asthma drug which is safe for teenagers. If
you enjoy bicycling, walking, running or any other physical
activity, two puffs of Serevent before you start can make all
the difference.
