Health and Nutrition of Essex, IA Residents

Diet Behavior & Nutrition

Fifty one percent of Essex 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 three 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 Essex 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). Sixteen percent of people living here 30 years of age and older, are embarrassed because of their teeth, mouth or dentures. Twenty percent think they might have gum disease (might have swollen gums, receding gums, sore or infected gums or loose teeth). Essex residents rate the overall health of their teeth and gums on average at 46 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 two 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 23 teeth.

Summary

Weight

The average height of Essex residents 16 years and older is 70 inches. The average weight is 200 pounds. Their average BMI (Body Mass Index) is 29. Forty percent of people living here are obese. Fifty four percent have ever been obese. Twenty nine percent have ever tried to lose weight.

Summary

Drug Use

Seventy four percent of Essex residents have ever used marijuana or hashish. Thirty three percent of people living here have ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. Thirty one percent have ever used any form of cocaine, such as powder, 'crack', 'free base', and coca paste. Four percent have ever used heroin. Eighteen percent have ever used methamphetamines.

Summary

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

Diabetes

Eleven percent of people living in Essex 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. Four percent of city residents are currently taking insulin.

Summary

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

Kidney Conditions-Urology

Essex 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

Twelve percent of Essex 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 three percent of people above the age of 40 have ever had wisdom teeth removed. Thirty five percent have ever had their tonsils removed. Twenty eight percent have lost consciousness because of a head injury. Thirty two percent have ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull. Forty 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 four percent of people living in Essex are covered by health insurance or some other kind of health care plan.

Summary

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

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

Summary

Dermatology

Thirty four percent of people living in Essex use sunscreen.

Summary

Mental Health

Twenty four percent of Essex residents 18 years old and older have usually little interest or pleasure in doing things. Twenty three percent often feel down, depressed, or hopeless. Forty two percent of people living here have trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleep too much. Forty eight percent of people often feel tired or have little energy. Twenty three percent are bothered by poor appetite or overeating. Twenty three 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. Eleven 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. Five 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

Essex residents on average take two prescription medicines.

Summary

Alcohol use

Ninety one percent of people living in Essex have at least one alcoholic drink per month. Six percent of people living here do not drink alcohol at all. People living here drink alcohol 7.7 days per month on average. They have 8.8 drinks per week. On average people living here have 5 or more drinks on 36 days a year.

Summary

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

Sexual Behavior

Ninety six percent of Essex residents 18 years and older have ever had vaginal, anal or oral sex. Ninety five percent of males have ever had vaginal sex with a woman. Ninety percent have ever performed oral sex on a woman. Fifty percent have ever had anal sex with a woman. Six percent of males in Essex have ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal. Hundred percent of females have ever had vaginal sex with a man. Ninety six percent have ever performed oral sex on a man. People in Essex 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 36 women. He has vaginal sex with 22 women. People living here were on average 18 years old when they first performed oral sex on a woman. In their lifetime they performed oral sex on average on 15 women. People in Essex were 17 years old on average when they first performed oral sex on a man. Ten percent of people use protection, like a condom or dental dam, while performing oral sex. The average person in Essex has vaginal or anal sex 48 times a year. Fifty three percent have sex without using a condom. Females in Essex 18 years and older have had any kind of sex with five men on average. They have had four male vaginal sex partners in their lifetimes. Eighty nine 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 Essex 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

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

Sleep Disorders

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

Summary

Smoking-Cigarette Use

Forty nine percent of Essex residents currently smoke cigarettes.

Summary

Physical Activity

Thirty two percent of Essex 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. Fifty six 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 three percent walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places. Twenty two 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. Forty five 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 1.4 hours per day.

Summary

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

Medical Conditions

Seven percent of Essex residents have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had asthma. Two 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 two percent are overweight. Eighteen 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 Essex have ever received a blood transfusion. Nineteen percent have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Twenty six percent of people 20 and older have arthritis. Six percent have ever been told they had gout. Four percent have congestive heart failure. Five percent have coronary heart disease. Three percent have angina, also called angina pectoris. Five 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. Three percent have ever had emphysema. Five percent have another thyroid problem. Two percent have ever had chronic bronchitis. Three percent of people had any kind of liver condition. Thirteen percent have ever had cancer or a malignancy of any kind.

Summary

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

Reproductive Health

Fifty percent of births in Essex were vaginal deliveries. Fifty percent of deliveries were cesarean. 98.8 percent of deliveries resulted in live births. Sixty percent of pregnancies resulted in a delivery. Seventy one percent of women breastfeed their children. Eighty seven percent have ever taken birth control pills for any reason. Ten percent of women are currently taking birth control pills. Thirty 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 Essex report their general health condition on average at 57 percent. Eight percent of them donate blood. Excluding tests they have had as part of blood donations, 38 percent of Essex residents have ever had their blood tested for the AIDS virus infection. Twelve percent of people living in Essex are left-handed.

Summary

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

Consumer Behavior

People in Essex spend $322 per month on average on food for their families at supermarkets or grocery stores. This is 17 percent of their income. The average family in Essex spends $84 on food at other stores monthly. This is five percent of their income. They spend $138 on eating out, including cafeterias at work or at school or on vending machines. This is nine percent of their income. They also spend $23 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 Essex report their general condition of hearing on average at 75 percent. Seventy eight 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 three percent of people can hear a normal voice across a quiet room. Twenty five percent of Essex population have been bothered by ringing, roaring or buzzing in their ears or head. Seventy 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. Twenty seven percent of people in Essex 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

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

Summary

Physical Functioning

Twenty two percent of Essex 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. Twenty eight 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. Eleven percent are limited in any way because of difficulty remembering or because they experience periods of confusion. Eight 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.