Health and Nutrition of Altoona, AL Residents

Diet Behavior & Nutrition

Forty six percent of Altoona residents report that their diet is generally healthy. People here have milk to drink or on their cereal 16 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 two frozen meals or frozen pizzas on average monthly.

Summary

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

Oral Health

The average Altoona 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). Eighteen percent of people living here 30 years of age and older, are embarrassed because of their teeth, mouth or dentures. Twenty two percent think they might have gum disease (might have swollen gums, receding gums, sore or infected gums or loose teeth). Altoona residents rate the overall health of their teeth and gums on average at 43 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 four days per week. The average person living here (including children) has 24 teeth.

Summary

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

Weight

The average height of Altoona residents 16 years and older is 65 inches. The average weight is 178 pounds. Their average BMI (Body Mass Index) is 29. Thirty nine percent of people living here are obese. Fifty two percent have ever been obese. Thirty seven percent have ever tried to lose weight.

Summary

Drug Use

Forty nine percent of Altoona residents have ever used marijuana or hashish. Seventeen percent of people living here have ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. Sixteen percent have ever used any form of cocaine, such as powder, 'crack', 'free base', and coca paste. Two percent have ever used heroin. Six percent have ever used methamphetamines.

Summary

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

Diabetes

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

Summary

Kidney Conditions-Urology

Altoona 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

Taste & Smell

Ten percent of Altoona 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. Fifty five percent of people above the age of 40 have ever had wisdom teeth removed. Thirteen percent have ever had their tonsils removed. Ten percent have lost consciousness because of a head injury. Fifteen percent have ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull. Twenty percent have had two or more sinus infections.

Summary

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

Health Insurance

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

Summary

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

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

Summary

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

Dermatology

Twenty one percent of people living in Altoona use sunscreen.

Summary

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

Mental Health

Twenty six percent of Altoona residents 18 years old and older have usually little interest or pleasure in doing things. Twenty seven 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 one percent of people often feel tired or have little energy. Twenty eight percent are bothered by poor appetite or overeating. Twenty two percent often feel badly about themselves, that they are a failure or have let themselves or their families down. Twenty percent have trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching TV. Eighteen 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. Eight percent have thoughts that they would be better off dead or of hurting themselves in some way.

Summary

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

Prescription Medications

Altoona residents on average take one prescription medicines.

Summary

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

Alcohol use

Seventy five percent of people living in Altoona have at least one alcoholic drink per month. Thirteen percent of people living here do not drink alcohol at all. People living here drink alcohol 3.7 days per month on average. They have 4.5 drinks per week. On average people living here have 5 or more drinks on 18 days a year.

Summary

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

Sexual Behavior

Ninety seven percent of Altoona 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. Seventy eight percent have ever performed oral sex on a woman. Forty percent have ever had anal sex with a woman. Seven percent of males in Altoona have ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal. Ninety four percent of females have ever had vaginal sex with a man. Fifty eight percent have ever performed oral sex on a man. Twenty four percent have ever had anal sex. Seventeen percent of females have ever had any kind of sex with a woman. People in Altoona were 17 years old on average when they had sex for the first time. The average man in his lifetime had any kind of sex with 29 women. He has vaginal sex with 26 women. People living here were on average 21 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 1.4 men on average. People in Altoona were 20 years old on average when they first performed oral sex on a man. Twenty percent of people use protection, like a condom or dental dam, while performing oral sex. The average person in Altoona has vaginal or anal sex 45 times a year. Thirty nine percent have sex without using a condom. Females in Altoona 18 years and older have had any kind of sex with eight men on average. They have had seven male vaginal sex partners in their lifetimes. Women here have on average 0.6 female sex partners in their lifetimes. Fifty five percent of men 18 years old and older are circumcised.

Summary

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

Pesticide Use

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

Summary

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

Sleep Disorders

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

Summary

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

Smoking-Cigarette Use

Forty seven percent of Altoona residents currently smoke cigarettes.

Summary

Physical Activity

Eighteen percent of Altoona 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. Twenty nine 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 five percent walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places. Twenty three 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. Thirty six 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 six 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 three 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 1.3 hours per day.

Summary

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

Medical Conditions

Seven percent of Altoona residents have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had asthma. Six percent of people living here has anemia, sometimes called "tired blood" or "low blood". Two 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. Forty one 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 Altoona have ever received a blood transfusion. Twenty four percent have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Eighteen percent of people 20 and older have arthritis. Five percent have ever been told they had gout. Four percent have coronary heart disease. Four percent have ever had a heart attack, also called myocardial infarction. Two percent have been ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had a stroke. Three percent have another thyroid problem. One percent of people had any kind of liver condition.

Summary

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

Reproductive Health

Sixty five percent of births in Altoona were vaginal deliveries. Thirty five percent of deliveries were cesarean. 97.5 percent of deliveries resulted in live births. Sixty two percent of pregnancies resulted in a delivery. Thirty seven percent of women breastfeed their children. Twenty one percent of women in Altoona 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). Sixty seven percent have ever taken birth control pills for any reason. Twenty seven percent have ever used Depo-Provera or injectable birth control to prevent pregnancy.

Summary

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

Current Health Status

People living in Altoona report their general health condition on average at 51 percent. Four percent of them donate blood. Excluding tests they have had as part of blood donations, 46 percent of Altoona residents have ever had their blood tested for the AIDS virus infection. Nine percent of people living in Altoona are left-handed.

Summary

Consumer Behavior

People in Altoona spend $407 per month on average on food for their families at supermarkets or grocery stores. This is 27 percent of their income. The average family in Altoona spends $102 on food at other stores monthly. This is five percent of their income. They spend $175 on eating out, including cafeterias at work or at school or on vending machines. This is eight percent of their income. They also spend $25 monthly on carried out or delivered food. This is two percent of their income.

Summary

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

Audiometry

People living in Altoona report their general condition of hearing on average at 82 percent. Eighty seven 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 five percent of people can hear a normal voice across a quiet room. Fifteen percent of Altoona population have been bothered by ringing, roaring or buzzing in their ears or head. Thirty eight 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. Thirteen percent of people in Altoona had off-work exposure to loud noise.

Summary

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

Preventive Aspirin Use

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

Summary

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

Physical Functioning

Fifteen percent of Altoona 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. Six percent have difficulty walking without using any special equipment. Nine percent are limited in any way because of difficulty remembering or because they experience periods of confusion. Five 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

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