Health and Nutrition of Watertown, MA Residents

Fifty five percent of Watertown residents report that their diet is generally healthy. People here have milk to drink or on their cereal 21 times per month. This includes chocolate and other flavored milks, as well as hot cocoa made with milk, and does not count small amounts of milk added to coffee or tea. People living here eat an average of four meals (breakfasts, lunches or dinners) per week that were prepared away from home in places such as restaurants, fast food places, food stands, grocery stores or from vending machines. They get two of these meals from a fast-food or pizza place. People here eat two "ready to eat" foods such as salads, soups, chicken, sandwiches and cooked vegetables per month. They also eat four frozen meals or frozen pizzas on average monthly.

Summary

Diet health (%)

  • Watertown 54.8%
  • Middlesex County 51.7%
  • Massachusetts 49.9%

Milk product consumption (# of products/month)

  • Here 21.1
  • County 21.3
  • State 21.3

Meals not home prepared (#/week)

  • Watertown 4.1
  • County 3.8
  • Massachusetts 3.6

Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week)

  • Here 1.6
  • County 1.7
  • State 1.8

Ready-to-eat foods (#/month)

  • Watertown 1.9
  • County 1.9
  • Massachusetts 1.8

Frozen meals/pizza (#/month)

  • Watertown 3.6
  • County 3.6
  • State 3.6

The average Watertown resident last visited a dentist two years ago (including all types of dentists, such as, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists). Eleven percent of people living here 30 years of age and older, are embarrassed because of their teeth, mouth or dentures. Eighteen percent think they might have gum disease (might have swollen gums, receding gums, sore or infected gums or loose teeth). Watertown residents rate the overall health of their teeth and gums on average at 55 percent. People living here aged 30 years and older, aside from brushing their teeth with toothbrush, use dental floss or any other device that clean between teeth on average three days per week. They also use mouthwash or other dental rinse products to treat dental disease or dental problems an average of three days per week. The average person living here (including children) has 25 teeth.

Summary

Average years since last visit a dentist

  • Watertown 1.5
  • County 1.8
  • State 1.9

People embarrassed because of mouth (%)

  • Here 11.4%
  • County 14.3%
  • Massachusetts 15.8%

People with gum disease (%)

  • Watertown 18.0%
  • Middlesex County 20.3%
  • Massachusetts 21.0%

General health of teeth and gums (%)

  • Here 54.7%
  • Middlesex County 49.5%
  • Massachusetts 47.1%

Average days a week using dental floss/device

  • Here 3.2
  • Middlesex County 3.0
  • Massachusetts 2.9

Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem

  • Here 2.6
  • Middlesex County 2.7
  • State 2.8

Average number of teeth

  • Watertown 24.6
  • Middlesex County 23.4
  • State 22.8

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

The average height of Watertown residents 16 years and older is 67 inches. The average weight is 176 pounds. Their average BMI (Body Mass Index) is 28. Thirty two percent of people living here are obese. Forty two percent have ever been obese. Thirty nine percent have ever tried to lose weight.

Summary

Average height (inches)

  • Here 67.0
  • County 66.9
  • State 66.7

Average weight (pounds)

  • Watertown 176.3
  • County 177.1
  • State 178.6

Average BMI

  • Watertown 27.9
  • Middlesex County 28.1
  • State 28.5

People that are obese (%)

  • Watertown 32.1%
  • County 34.0%
  • Massachusetts 36.2%

People that ever were obese (%)

  • Watertown 42.1%
  • County 44.9%
  • State 47.7%

People trying to lose weight (%)

  • Here 38.8%
  • Middlesex County 36.0%
  • Massachusetts 35.3%

Sixty three percent of Watertown residents have ever used marijuana or hashish. Twenty percent of people living here have ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. Eighteen percent have ever used any form of cocaine, such as powder, 'crack', 'free base', and coca paste. Two percent have ever used heroin. Nine percent have ever used methamphetamines.

Summary

People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%)

  • Here 63.4%
  • Middlesex County 62.6%
  • State 63.7%

Ever used hard drugs (%)

  • Here 20.1%
  • Middlesex County 22.2%
  • Massachusetts 23.9%

Ever used any form of cocaine (%)

  • Watertown 18.4%
  • Middlesex County 20.3%
  • Massachusetts 21.7%

Ever used heroin (%)

  • Here 2.1%
  • County 2.8%
  • State 3.0%

Ever used methamphetamine (%)

  • Watertown 9.3%
  • Middlesex County 12.0%
  • Massachusetts 13.3%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Seven percent of people living in Watertown have ever been told by a doctor or health professional that they have diabetes. Forty seven percent of people had a blood test for high sugar or diabetes within the past three years. Two percent of city residents are currently taking insulin.

Summary

Diabetics (%)

  • Watertown 7.3%
  • County 8.7%
  • State 9.6%

Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%)

  • Here 47.0%
  • County 46.6%
  • State 46.8%

People taking insulin (%)

  • Watertown 2.2%
  • County 2.7%
  • Massachusetts 2.9%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Watertown residents 20 years and older on average get up to urinate one time at night (from time they go to bed at night until the time they get up in the morning).

Summary

Avg. # of times urinating at night

  • Watertown 1.0
  • Middlesex County 1.1
  • State 1.1

Eleven percent of Watertown residents above the age of 40 have problems with their ability to smell, such as not being able to smell things or things not smelling the way they are supposed to. Five percent have been having problems with their ability to taste sweet, sour, salty or bitter foods and drinks. Seventy percent of people above the age of 40 have ever had wisdom teeth removed. Thirty four percent have ever had their tonsils removed. Fifteen percent have lost consciousness because of a head injury. Twenty one percent have ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull. Forty four percent have had two or more sinus infections.

Summary

People 40+ having problems with smell (%)

  • Here 11.4%
  • Middlesex County 11.3%
  • Massachusetts 11.6%

People 40+ having problems with taste (%)

  • Watertown 5.4%
  • Middlesex County 5.5%
  • Massachusetts 5.6%

People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%)

  • Watertown 69.8%
  • County 68.1%
  • State 68.5%

People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%)

  • Watertown 33.9%
  • County 30.5%
  • Massachusetts 29.6%

People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%)

  • Watertown 14.7%
  • County 15.9%
  • Massachusetts 16.1%

People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%)

  • Watertown 21.4%
  • County 22.1%
  • Massachusetts 22.0%

People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%)

  • Watertown 44.3%
  • Middlesex County 42.9%
  • Massachusetts 42.0%

Eighty one percent of people living in Watertown are covered by health insurance or some other kind of health care plan.

Summary

People covered by health insurance (%)

  • Here 81.1%
  • Middlesex County 77.0%
  • State 75.1%

Twenty percent of people living in Watertown have been ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had hypertension (also called high blood pressure). Twenty three percent of people take their blood pressure at home. Forty three percent of people in Watertown frequently check their blood cholesterol. Fifteen percent of people have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that their blood cholesterol level was high.

Summary

Has high blood pressure (%)

  • Here 19.8%
  • Middlesex County 20.8%
  • State 22.1%

Checking blood pressure at home (%)

  • Watertown 23.2%
  • Middlesex County 23.7%
  • Massachusetts 24.4%

Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%)

  • Here 43.2%
  • County 42.1%
  • Massachusetts 42.0%

Has high cholesterol level (%)

  • Here 15.5%
  • County 17.6%
  • Massachusetts 18.7%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Forty seven percent of people living in Watertown use sunscreen.

Summary

People using sunscreen (%)

  • Here 46.8%
  • Middlesex County 40.1%
  • Massachusetts 36.9%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Twenty one percent of Watertown residents 18 years old and older have usually little interest or pleasure in doing things. Twenty two percent often feel down, depressed, or hopeless. Thirty nine percent of people living here have trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleep too much. Fifty percent of people often feel tired or have little energy. Twenty three percent are bothered by poor appetite or overeating. Nineteen percent often feel badly about themselves, that they are a failure or have let themselves or their families down. Seventeen percent have trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching TV. Ten percent of people living here move or speak so slowly that other people could have noticed, or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that they have been moving around a lot more than usual. Three percent have thoughts that they would be better off dead or of hurting themselves in some way.

Summary

People who have little interest in doing things (%)

  • Watertown 21.4%
  • County 24.3%
  • State 25.8%

People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%)

  • Here 22.1%
  • County 25.1%
  • Massachusetts 26.9%

People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%)

  • Watertown 38.9%
  • Middlesex County 40.7%
  • State 41.8%

People feeling tired or having little energy (%)

  • Here 50.1%
  • County 50.7%
  • State 51.7%

People with poor appetite or overeating (%)

  • Watertown 22.6%
  • Middlesex County 25.3%
  • State 27.3%

People feeling bad about themself (%)

  • Watertown 18.6%
  • Middlesex County 19.9%
  • Massachusetts 21.0%

People who have trouble concentrating on things (%)

  • Here 17.0%
  • County 18.3%
  • Massachusetts 19.2%

People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%)

  • Watertown 10.2%
  • County 12.1%
  • State 13.6%

People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%)

  • Watertown 3.4%
  • Middlesex County 3.9%
  • Massachusetts 4.3%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Watertown residents on average take two prescription medicines.

Summary

Average number of prescription medicines taking

  • Watertown 1.9
  • County 2.0
  • State 2.1

Eighty three percent of people living in Watertown have at least one alcoholic drink per month. Nine percent of people living here do not drink alcohol at all. People living here drink alcohol 5.7 days per month on average. They have 4.9 drinks per week. On average people living here have 5 or more drinks on 18 days a year.

Summary

People drinking some alcohol every month (%)

  • Watertown 82.9%
  • County 81.1%
  • Massachusetts 80.3%

People not drinking at all (%)

  • Here 9.0%
  • County 10.2%
  • State 10.6%

Average days/month drinking alcohol

  • Watertown 5.7
  • County 5.3
  • State 5.0

Average drinks/week

  • Watertown 4.9
  • County 5.4
  • Massachusetts 5.6

Average days/year people drink much

  • Here 17.7
  • Middlesex County 21.3
  • Massachusetts 22.6

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Ninety six percent of Watertown residents 18 years and older have ever had vaginal, anal or oral sex. Ninety two percent of males have ever had vaginal sex with a woman. Eighty seven percent have ever performed oral sex on a woman. Forty two percent have ever had anal sex with a woman. Eight percent of males in Watertown have ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal. Ninety seven percent of females have ever had vaginal sex with a man. Eighty eight percent have ever performed oral sex on a man. Thirty eight percent have ever had anal sex. Ten percent of females have ever had any kind of sex with a woman. People in Watertown were 18 years old on average when they had sex for the first time. The average man in his lifetime had any kind of sex with 17 women. He has vaginal sex with 13 women. People living here were on average 22 years old when they first performed oral sex on a woman. In their lifetime they performed oral sex on average on four women. Males in their lifetime have anal or oral sex with 3.8 men on average. They have had 2.1 anal sex partners in their lifetime. People in Watertown were 19 years old on average when they first performed oral sex on a man. They performed oral sex on average on five men in their lifetime. Six percent of people use protection, like a condom or dental dam, while performing oral sex. The average person in Watertown has vaginal or anal sex 60 times a year. Fifty six percent have sex without using a condom. Females in Watertown 18 years and older have had any kind of sex with 10 men on average. They have had nine male vaginal sex partners in their lifetimes. Women here have on average 0.4 female sex partners in their lifetimes. Eighty five percent of men 18 years old and older are circumcised.

Summary

People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%)

  • Watertown 96.3%
  • Middlesex County 96.8%
  • State 97.2%

Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%)

  • Watertown 92.5%
  • County 93.4%
  • State 94.0%

Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%)

  • Here 87.0%
  • County 86.5%
  • State 86.9%

Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%)

  • Here 41.9%
  • County 46.1%
  • Massachusetts 48.0%

Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%)

  • Here 7.9%
  • County 6.3%
  • State 6.1%

Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%)

  • Watertown 96.6%
  • Middlesex County 96.7%
  • Massachusetts 97.1%

Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%)

  • Here 87.8%
  • County 86.6%
  • Massachusetts 86.0%

Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%)

  • Watertown 37.7%
  • Middlesex County 38.0%
  • State 39.2%

Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%)

  • Watertown 10.4%
  • County 10.5%
  • State 11.5%

Average age people first had sex

  • Here 17.5
  • Middlesex County 17.2
  • State 16.9

Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+)

  • Watertown 17.5
  • Middlesex County 22.8
  • Massachusetts 25.4

Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+)

  • Here 13.3
  • County 18.3
  • State 20.3

Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+)

  • Here 21.8
  • Middlesex County 21.8
  • Massachusetts 21.5

Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+)

  • Here 3.7
  • Middlesex County 4.7
  • State 5.0

Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+)

  • Here 3.8
  • Middlesex County 2.7
  • Massachusetts 2.9

Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+)

  • Watertown 2.1
  • Middlesex County 1.5
  • State 1.6

Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+)

  • Here 18.7
  • County 20.0
  • Massachusetts 19.9

Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+)

  • Watertown 5.4
  • County 4.8
  • State 5.2

People using protection when performing oral sex (%)

  • Watertown 6.4%
  • County 7.6%
  • State 8.3%

Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year

  • Here 60.1
  • County 61.7
  • Massachusetts 62.5

People having sex without condom (%)

  • Watertown 56.1%
  • Middlesex County 55.2%
  • Massachusetts 54.9%

Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+)

  • Here 9.9
  • County 10.3
  • State 10.9

Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+)

  • Here 8.7
  • Middlesex County 9.1
  • Massachusetts 9.6

Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+)

  • Watertown 0.4
  • County 0.5
  • State 0.5

Circumcised males 18+ (%)

  • Watertown 84.8%
  • County 81.4%
  • State 80.9%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Nine percent of households in Watertown use chemical products in their homes to control fleas, roaches, ants, termites or other insects. Four percent use chemical products in their lawns or gardens to kill weeds.

Summary

Households using pesticides to control insects (%)

  • Here 8.9%
  • Middlesex County 9.2%
  • Massachusetts 9.7%

Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%)

  • Here 4.2%
  • Middlesex County 4.3%
  • Massachusetts 4.4%

Watertown residents 16 years and older usually get seven hours of sleep at night on weekdays or workdays. Thirty percent of them have trouble sleeping.

Summary

Average hours sleeping at night

  • Watertown 7.0
  • County 6.9
  • State 6.8

People that has trouble sleeping (%)

  • Watertown 30.1%
  • County 30.4%
  • Massachusetts 31.3%

Forty percent of Watertown residents currently smoke cigarettes.

Summary

People smoking cigarettes (%)

  • Watertown 40.0%
  • Middlesex County 47.2%
  • Massachusetts 50.2%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Eighteen percent of Watertown residents' work involve vigorous-intensity activity that causes large increases in breathing or heart rate, like carrying or lifting heavy loads, digging or construction work for at least 10 minutes continuously. Thirty four percent of people do moderate-intensity activities at work that cause small increases in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking or carrying light loads for at least 10 minutes continuously. Thirty one percent walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places. Twenty nine percent do any vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities that cause large increases in breathing or heart rate like running or basketball for at least 10 minutes continuously. Fifty three percent do any moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities that cause a small increase in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking, bicycling, swimming or golf for at least 10 minutes continuously. People living here spend seven hours sitting on a typical day (this includes sitting at work, at home, getting to and from places, or with friends, including time spent sitting at a desk, traveling in a car or bus, reading, playing cards, watching television or using a computer). They usually sit and watch TV or videos for about two hours per day. They use a computer or play computer games (including Playstation, Nintendo DS, or other portable video games) outside of work or school for 1.4 hours per day.

Summary

People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%)

  • Watertown 17.6%
  • Middlesex County 20.6%
  • Massachusetts 21.2%

People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%)

  • Watertown 34.4%
  • Middlesex County 36.0%
  • Massachusetts 36.9%

People walking or bicycling (%)

  • Here 31.3%
  • Middlesex County 30.7%
  • State 30.0%

People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%)

  • Watertown 28.6%
  • Middlesex County 23.1%
  • Massachusetts 20.2%

People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%)

  • Here 53.0%
  • Middlesex County 46.1%
  • State 43.5%

Average hours a day doing sedentary activities

  • Here 6.6
  • County 6.3
  • Massachusetts 6.1

Average hours a day watching TV or videos

  • Here 2.4
  • County 2.6
  • State 2.7

Average hours a day using computer

  • Watertown 1.4
  • County 1.3
  • Massachusetts 1.3

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Ten percent of Watertown residents have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had asthma. Three percent of people living here has anemia, sometimes called "tired blood" or "low blood". Four percent of people 16 years and older have ever been told by a doctor or other health care professional that they had psoriasis. Thirty one percent are overweight. Seventeen percent of people 60 years and older have difficulties in thinking or remembering that can make a big difference in everyday activities (this does not refer to occasionally forgetting your keys or the name of someone you recently met). This refers to things like confusion or memory loss that are happening more often or getting worse. Eleven percent of people living in Watertown have ever received a blood transfusion. Fourteen percent have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Twenty two percent of people 20 and older have arthritis. Four percent have ever been told they had gout. Two percent have congestive heart failure. Three percent have coronary heart disease. Two percent have angina, also called angina pectoris. Three percent have ever had a heart attack, also called myocardial infarction. Three percent have been ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had a stroke. Two percent have ever had emphysema. Eight percent have another thyroid problem. Three percent have ever had chronic bronchitis. Two percent of people had any kind of liver condition. Ten percent have ever had cancer or a malignancy of any kind.

Summary

People with asthma (%)

  • Watertown 10.0%
  • Middlesex County 10.2%
  • Massachusetts 10.5%

People with anemia (%)

  • Watertown 3.1%
  • County 3.1%
  • Massachusetts 3.3%

People with psoriasis (%)

  • Watertown 3.6%
  • County 3.9%
  • Massachusetts 3.9%

People with overweight (%)

  • Watertown 31.4%
  • County 32.4%
  • State 33.4%

Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%)

  • Here 16.5%
  • County 18.2%
  • Massachusetts 20.1%

People who ever received blood transfusion (%)

  • Watertown 10.5%
  • County 10.6%
  • State 11.4%

People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%)

  • Watertown 14.4%
  • Middlesex County 16.7%
  • State 18.7%

People with arthritis (%)

  • Watertown 22.1%
  • County 23.7%
  • State 25.3%

People with gout (%)

  • Here 3.7%
  • Middlesex County 3.6%
  • State 3.7%

People with congestive heart failure (%)

  • Watertown 2.1%
  • County 2.9%
  • State 3.3%

People with coronary heart disease (%)

  • Here 2.6%
  • Middlesex County 2.8%
  • State 3.2%

People with angina pectoris (%)

  • Watertown 1.9%
  • Middlesex County 2.0%
  • Massachusetts 2.2%

People who ever had heart attack (%)

  • Here 3.0%
  • County 3.4%
  • Massachusetts 3.8%

People who ever had stroke (%)

  • Watertown 2.8%
  • Middlesex County 3.4%
  • State 3.7%

People with emphysema (%)

  • Here 1.8%
  • County 2.9%
  • Massachusetts 3.1%

People with thyroid problem (%)

  • Watertown 8.3%
  • Middlesex County 7.7%
  • Massachusetts 7.7%

People with chronic bronchitis (%)

  • Here 3.0%
  • County 3.3%
  • State 3.7%

People with any liver condition (%)

  • Watertown 2.2%
  • Middlesex County 2.8%
  • Massachusetts 3.0%

People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%)

  • Here 10.3%
  • County 9.2%
  • Massachusetts 9.1%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Fifty nine percent of births in Watertown were vaginal deliveries. Forty one percent of deliveries were cesarean. 99.5 percent of deliveries resulted in live births. Fifty five percent of pregnancies resulted in a delivery. Sixty three percent of women breastfeed their children. Twenty percent of women in Watertown have ever had a hysterectomy, including a partial hysterectomy (that is, surgery to remove their uterus or womb). Eleven percent had both of their ovaries removed (either when they had their uterus removed or at another time). Seventy seven percent have ever taken birth control pills for any reason. Eleven percent of women are currently taking birth control pills. Fourteen percent have ever used Depo-Provera or injectable birth control to prevent pregnancy. Nineteen percent have ever used female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, including any forms of female hormones, such as pills, cream, patch and injections, but do not include birth control methods or use for infertility.

Summary

Vaginal deliveries (%)

  • Here 59.4%
  • County 61.8%
  • Massachusetts 64.3%

Cesarean deliveries (%)

  • Here 40.6%
  • County 38.2%
  • State 35.7%

Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%)

  • Watertown 99.5%
  • Middlesex County 99.4%
  • Massachusetts 99.4%

Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%)

  • Here 55.4%
  • Middlesex County 57.3%
  • Massachusetts 59.3%

Women breastfeeding newborns (%)

  • Watertown 62.8%
  • County 60.2%
  • Massachusetts 56.7%

Women that had a hysterectomy (%)

  • Watertown 19.6%
  • Middlesex County 20.2%
  • State 21.6%

Women that had both ovaries removed (%)

  • Watertown 11.4%
  • Middlesex County 11.4%
  • Massachusetts 11.7%

Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%)

  • Here 76.6%
  • County 75.6%
  • State 74.1%

Women taking birth control pills (%)

  • Here 11.3%
  • Middlesex County 9.9%
  • Massachusetts 8.4%

Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%)

  • Here 14.4%
  • Middlesex County 14.6%
  • Massachusetts 16.0%

Women that have ever used female hormones (%)

  • Watertown 19.1%
  • County 18.2%
  • State 18.2%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

People living in Watertown report their general health condition on average at 62 percent. Six percent of them donate blood. Excluding tests they have had as part of blood donations, 40 percent of Watertown residents have ever had their blood tested for the AIDS virus infection. Eight percent of people living in Watertown are left-handed.

Summary

General health condition (%)

  • Watertown 62.1%
  • Middlesex County 58.4%
  • State 56.4%

Blood donors (%)

  • Watertown 6.1%
  • Middlesex County 4.9%
  • State 4.5%

Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%)

  • Watertown 40.1%
  • Middlesex County 39.3%
  • Massachusetts 39.2%

Left-handed people (%)

  • Watertown 8.3%
  • Middlesex County 8.2%
  • Massachusetts 8.3%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

People in Watertown spend $361 per month on average on food for their families at supermarkets or grocery stores. This is 20 percent of their income. The average family in Watertown spends $75 on food at other stores monthly. This is four percent of their income. They spend $184 on eating out, including cafeterias at work or at school or on vending machines. This is seven percent of their income. They also spend $29 monthly on carried out or delivered food. This is one percent of their income.

Summary

Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store

  • Watertown $361
  • Middlesex County $367
  • Massachusetts $363

Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%)

  • Watertown 19.7%
  • Middlesex County 21.7%
  • Massachusetts 23.2%

Money monthly spent on food at other stores

  • Watertown $75
  • County $74
  • State $73

Income spent on food at other stores (%)

  • Here 3.8%
  • Middlesex County 3.9%
  • State 4.1%

Money monthly spent on eating out

  • Watertown $184
  • County $161
  • State $145

Income spent on eating out (%)

  • Watertown 7.5%
  • County 6.9%
  • State 7.0%

Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods

  • Here $29
  • County $27
  • Massachusetts $25

Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%)

  • Watertown 1.2%
  • County 1.2%
  • Massachusetts 1.2%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

People living in Watertown report their general condition of hearing on average at 81 percent. Eighty four percent of them can usually hear and understand, without the use of a hearing aid or any other listening devices, what a person says without seeing his or her face if that person whispers to them from across a quiet room. Ninety six percent of people can hear a normal voice across a quiet room. Seventeen percent of Watertown population have been bothered by ringing, roaring or buzzing in their ears or head. Thirty three percent of people living here have ever had a job where they were exposed to loud sounds or noise. Loud means so loud that they must speak in a raised voice to be heard. Fourteen percent of people in Watertown had off-work exposure to loud noise.

Summary

Average condition of hearing (%)

  • Watertown 81.4%
  • Middlesex County 79.9%
  • State 78.9%

People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%)

  • Here 83.8%
  • Middlesex County 79.9%
  • State 78.9%

People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%)

  • Here 96.1%
  • County 95.4%
  • State 95.0%

Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%)

  • Here 16.6%
  • County 18.3%
  • Massachusetts 19.8%

Had a job exposure to loud noise (%)

  • Here 32.6%
  • County 39.0%
  • Massachusetts 41.9%

Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%)

  • Here 14.2%
  • County 14.6%
  • Massachusetts 15.2%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Twenty seven percent of Watertown residents 40 and older take a low-dose aspirin each day to prevent heart attacks, strokes or cancer.

Summary

Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%)

  • Here 26.9%
  • Middlesex County 25.4%
  • Massachusetts 25.8%

Twelve percent of Watertown residents 20 or older have limitations caused by a long-term physical, mental or emotional problems or illnesses keeping them from working at a job or business. Eighteen percent are limited in the kind or amount of work they can do because of physical, mental or emotional problems. Seven percent have difficulty walking without using any special equipment. Seven percent are limited in any way because of difficulty remembering or because they experience periods of confusion. Six percent of people here have health problems that require them to use special equipment, such as a cane, wheelchair, special bed or special telephone.

Summary

People having limitations keeping them from working (%)

  • Here 12.3%
  • Middlesex County 15.7%
  • State 17.8%

People limited in amount of work they can do (%)

  • Here 18.0%
  • Middlesex County 21.6%
  • Massachusetts 24.0%

People that need special equipment to walk (%)

  • Watertown 7.4%
  • County 8.0%
  • State 9.0%

People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%)

  • Watertown 6.8%
  • Middlesex County 8.5%
  • Massachusetts 9.7%

People requiring special healthcare equipment (%)

  • Watertown 6.5%
  • County 6.8%
  • State 7.6%

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

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