一項研究發現，大約三分之一的英國中年人有多種健康問題，如慢性背痛、心理健康狀況不佳和高血壓。

The findings come from nearly 8,000 adults taking part in the 1970 British cohort study that spans more than 50 years of life.

這些調查結果來自對近8000名成年人的研究，他們參與了1970年英國的一項定群研究，幅度跨越了他們人生的50余年。

Around one-in-three of this group of people aged 46 to 48 had two or more chronic health conditions – that includes issues such as recurrent back problems, mental ill health, and high blood pressure as well as risky drinking. Although obesity was not recorded as a health condition, it was measured as a possible risk factor and did appear to be linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.

在這組46歲至48歲的人群中，大約三分之一患有兩種或以上的慢性健康問題，包括反復出現的背部問題、心理健康狀況不佳、高血壓以及危險飲酒。雖然肥胖沒有被記錄為一種健康問題，但仍被計為一種潛在的危險因素，而且它似乎的確與糖尿病和高血壓有關。

Experts advise that even in later life, adopting healthy choices, such as eating a good diet, limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking and getting regular exercise, can make a difference.

專家建議，即使是在晚年才開始采取健康的生活方式，如健康飲食、限制酒精攝入量、戒煙和定期鍛煉，也會對健康產生積極作用。

詞匯表

cohort 定群的，將特定人群分組追蹤觀察的
chronic 慢性的
recurrent 反復出現的
obesity 肥胖
adopting 采用
quitting 戒掉（壞習慣）

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. How many people took part in the study that these new findings come from?

2. What wasn’t recorded as a health issue in this study?

3. What proportion of the people studied had two or more chronic health issues?

4. What do experts say you should limit in later life to help you lead a healthier life?

答案  

1. How many people took part in the study that these new findings come from?
The findings come from nearly 8,000 adults taking part in the 1970 British cohort study that spans more than 50 years of life.

2. What wasn’t recorded as a health issue in this study?
Obesity was not recorded as a health condition.

3. What proportion of the people studied had two or more chronic health issues?
Around one-in-three of this group of people aged 46 to 48 had two or more chronic health conditions.

4. What do experts say you should limit in later life to help you lead a healthier life?
Experts advise that even in later life, limiting alcohol intake, can make a difference.