Health and Nutrition of Fort Polk South, LA Residents

Diet Behavior & Nutrition

Forty eight percent of Fort Polk South residents report that their diet is generally healthy. People here have milk to drink or on their cereal 19 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 five 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 three 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 five 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 Fort Polk South 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). Thirteen percent of people living here 30 years of age and older, are embarrassed because of their teeth, mouth or dentures. Nineteen percent think they might have gum disease (might have swollen gums, receding gums, sore or infected gums or loose teeth). Fort Polk South residents rate the overall health of their teeth and gums on average at 53 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 28 teeth.

Summary

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

Weight

The average height of Fort Polk South residents 16 years and older is 68 inches. The average weight is 183 pounds. Their average BMI (Body Mass Index) is 28. Thirty three percent of people living here are obese. Forty two percent have ever been obese. Thirty five percent have ever tried to lose weight.

Summary

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

Drug Use

Sixty two percent of Fort Polk South residents have ever used marijuana or hashish. Sixteen 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. Eight percent have ever used methamphetamines.

Summary

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

Diabetes

Thirty three 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

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

Kidney Conditions-Urology

Fort Polk South 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

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

Taste & Smell

Seven percent of Fort Polk South 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. Three percent have been having problems with their ability to taste sweet, sour, salty or bitter foods and drinks. Fifty eight percent of people above the age of 40 have ever had wisdom teeth removed. Fourteen percent have ever had their tonsils removed. Fourteen percent have lost consciousness because of a head injury. Seventeen percent have ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull. Thirty five 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 percent of people living in Fort Polk South are covered by health insurance or some other kind of health care plan.

Summary

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Fourteen percent of people take their blood pressure at home. Twenty three percent of people in Fort Polk South frequently check their blood cholesterol.

Summary

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

Dermatology

Thirty four percent of people living in Fort Polk South use sunscreen.

Summary

Mental Health

Twenty two percent of Fort Polk South residents 18 years old and older have usually little interest or pleasure in doing things. Twenty one percent often feel down, depressed, or hopeless. Thirty nine 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 four percent are bothered by poor appetite or overeating. Eighteen percent often feel badly about themselves, that they are a failure or have let themselves or their families down. Nineteen percent have trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching TV. Twelve 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

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

Prescription Medications

Fort Polk South residents on average take one prescription medicines.

Summary

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

Alcohol use

Eighty five percent of people living in Fort Polk South 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 4.8 days per month on average. They have 5.1 drinks per week. On average people living here have 5 or more drinks on 23 days a year.

Summary

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

Sexual Behavior

Ninety four percent of Fort Polk South residents 18 years and older have ever had vaginal, anal or oral sex. Eighty eight percent of males have ever had vaginal sex with a woman. Eighty two percent have ever performed oral sex on a woman. Forty seven percent have ever had anal sex with a woman. Seven percent of males in Fort Polk South have ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal. Ninety five percent of females have ever had vaginal sex with a man. Eighty eight percent have ever performed oral sex on a man. Thirty nine percent have ever had anal sex. Twelve percent of females have ever had any kind of sex with a woman. People in Fort Polk South 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 16 women. He has vaginal sex with 14 women. People living here were on average 19 years old when they first performed oral sex on a woman. In their lifetime they performed oral sex on average on four women. People in Fort Polk South were 18 years old on average when they first performed oral sex on a man. They performed oral sex on average on two men in their lifetime. Twelve percent of people use protection, like a condom or dental dam, while performing oral sex. The average person in Fort Polk South has vaginal or anal sex 72 times a year. Fifty percent have sex without using a condom. Females in Fort Polk South 18 years and older have had any kind of sex with eight men on average. They have had eight male vaginal sex partners in their lifetimes. Women here have on average 0.3 female sex partners in their lifetimes. Eighty 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

Eight percent of households in Fort Polk South use chemical products in their homes to control fleas, roaches, ants, termites or other insects. Three 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

Fort Polk South residents 16 years and older usually get seven hours of sleep at night on weekdays or workdays. Twenty one percent of them have trouble sleeping.

Summary

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

Smoking-Cigarette Use

Fifty nine percent of Fort Polk South residents currently smoke cigarettes.

Summary

Physical Activity

Twenty seven percent of Fort Polk South 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. Forty three 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. Forty two percent walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places. Forty 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. Fifty two 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 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 1.9 hours per day.

Summary

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

Medical Conditions

Nine percent of Fort Polk South 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". Three percent of people 16 years and older have ever been told by a doctor or other health care professional that they had psoriasis. Twenty six percent are overweight. Thirteen 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. Ten percent have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Three percent have another thyroid problem. Two percent have ever had chronic bronchitis. 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

Fifty one percent of births in Fort Polk South were vaginal deliveries. Forty nine percent of deliveries were cesarean. 99.8 percent of deliveries resulted in live births. Forty seven percent of pregnancies resulted in a delivery. Sixty five percent of women breastfeed their children. Seventy nine percent have ever taken birth control pills for any reason. Seventeen percent of women are currently taking birth control pills. Twenty five 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 Fort Polk South report their general health condition on average at 62 percent. Eight percent of them donate blood. Excluding tests they have had as part of blood donations, 47 percent of Fort Polk South residents have ever had their blood tested for the AIDS virus infection. Eight percent of people living in Fort Polk South are left-handed.

Summary

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

Consumer Behavior

People in Fort Polk South spend $328 per month on average on food for their families at supermarkets or grocery stores. This is 23 percent of their income. The average family in Fort Polk South spends $83 on food at other stores monthly. This is seven percent of their income. They spend $169 on eating out, including cafeterias at work or at school or on vending machines. This is 14 percent of their income. They also spend $32 monthly on carried out or delivered food. This is three percent of their income.

Summary

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

Audiometry

People living in Fort Polk South report their general condition of hearing on average at 87 percent. Ninety one 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 eight percent of people can hear a normal voice across a quiet room. Twelve percent of Fort Polk South population have been bothered by ringing, roaring or buzzing in their ears or head. Thirty nine 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. Nineteen percent of people in Fort Polk South 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

Eleven percent of Fort Polk South 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

Seven percent of Fort Polk South 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. Nine percent are limited in the kind or amount of work they can do because of physical, mental or emotional problems. Four percent are limited in any way because of difficulty remembering or because they experience periods of confusion.

Summary

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