It’s getting harder and harder to stay home from school.
SOURCE: PA Mackowiak, SS Wasserman, MM Levine, “A Critical Appraisal of 98.6°F,” Journal of the American Medical Association 268(12), 1992: 1578–1580.
Sick Day Beliefs
SOURCE: Harris Interactive, “Most U.S. Adults Support Paid Sick Time Requirements,” for the Wall Street Journal Online, March 7, 2007.
The odds an adult will fake being sick to miss work in a year: 1 in 3.5
SOURCE: CareerBuilder.com, “CareerBuilder Releases Annual List of the Most Unusual Excuses for Calling in Sick, According to US Employers,” press release, October 27, 2010.
ODDS COUPLE
Postscripts
The odds an adult does not have a living will: 1 in 1.5.
These are about the same odds an adult does not believe in ghosts.
SOURCES: PEW Research Center and the People and the Press, “More Americans Discussing and Planning End-of-Life Treatment, Strong Public Support for Right to Die,” press release, January 5, 2006. Ipsos Public Affairs, The Associated Press Poll: Ghost Study (Project #81-5681-64), interview dates: October 16–18, 2007.
Solipsists
The odds a death will be due to intentional self-harm (suicide): 1 in 65.6
The odds a person has a unique last name: 1 in 66.76
SOURCES: DL Hoyert, JQ Xu, “Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2011,” National Vital Statistics Reports 61(6), October 10, 2012. Book of Odds calculation from US Census 2000 genealogy data.
When the End Is Near
Views on End-of-Life Care
The odds an adult approves of laws that let patients decide whether to be kept alive through medical treatment: 1 in 1.2
The odds an adult disapproves of laws that let patients decide whether to be kept alive through medical treatment: 1 in 10
The odds an adult believes that if a patient with a terminal disease is unable to communicate and has not made his or her wishes known in advance, the closest family member should be allowed to decide whether to continue medical treatment: 1 in 1.4
The odds an adult believes that if a patient with a terminal disease is unable to communicate and has not made his or her wishes known in advance, the closest family member should not be allowed to decide whether to continue medical treatment: 1 in 6.7
The odds an adult believes “doctors and nurses should allow patients to die under certain circumstances”: 1 in 1.4
The odds a man believes a person suffering great pain with no hope of improvement has a moral right to end his or her life: 1 in 1.5
The odds a woman believes a person suffering great pain with no hope of improvement has a moral right to end his or her life: 1 in 1.9
The odds a man believes a person with an incurable disease has a moral right to end his or her life: 1 in 1.8
The odds a woman believes a person with an incurable disease has a moral right to end his or her life: 1 in 2
The odds an adult will tell a doctor to stop treatment if he or she has a disease with no hope of improvement and is suffering a great deal of physical pain: 1 in 1.9
The odds an adult approves of laws that allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs that a terminally ill patient could use to commit suicide: 1 in 2.2
The odds an adult disapproves of laws that allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs that a terminally ill patient could use to commit suicide: 1 in 2.2
The odds a man believes a person who is an extremely heavy burden on family has a moral right to end his or her life: 1 in 2.9
The odds a woman believes a person who is an extremely heavy burden on family has a moral right to end his or her life: 1 in 4
The odds an adult believes “doctors and nurses should do everything possible to save a person’s life”: 1 in 4.6
SOURCE: Book of Odds estimates based on PEW Research Center and the People and the Press, “More Americans Discussing and Planning End-of-Life Treatment, Strong Public Support for Right to Die,” press release, January 5, 2006.
CHAPTER 8
LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING FINE
HAIR
1 in 6.3 women prefers a man to shave all of his pubic hair. 1 in 2.4 women prefers that he keep it all.
SOURCE: Remington, “Survey: Women Want Men to Do More Body Hair Grooming, Especially Below the Neck,” press release, November 12, 2009.
Rise and Shine
The odds an adult brushes his or her teeth:
Once a day 1 in 3.1
Twice a day or after every meal 1 in 1.3
During the day at work 1 in 7.1
The odds an adult flosses daily 1 in 2
SOURCES: Mentadent, “New Survey Reveals Americans Need to Polish Up Their Dental Habits: Tooth Alert,” press release, May 30, 2002. American Dental Association, “Survey Results Reveal Oral Hygiene Habits of Men Lag Behind Women,” press release, May 11, 2004.
1 in 100
The odds an adult showers less than once a week.
Things as likely:
A person considers beef to be his or her favorite Thanksgiving dish
An adult has eleven siblings
An adult considers track and field to be his or her favorite sport
An adult believes couples with healthy sex lives have sex once a month
SOURCES: Moen, “Who’s Sloppier in the Bathroom, Men or Women? Both According to a New Survey by Moen, Inc.,” press release, September 11, 2006. J Carroll, “Pass the Turkey, Say Americans,” press release, Gallup News Service, November 24, 2004. Book of Odds estimates based on: JA Davis, TW Smith, PV Marsden, General Social Surveys, 1972–2008 [CUMULATIVE FILE] [Computer file]. ICPSR04697, v. 1., Chicago: National Opinion Research Center [producer], 2009. Storrs, CT: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut/Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributors]. Harris Interactive, “Football Expands Lead over Baseball as America’s Favorite Sport,” Harris Poll #15, press release, February 1, 2010. AskMen.com, “Part I: Dating & Sex,” The Great Female Survey, 2009 Edition, www.askmen.com/specials/yahoo_shine_great_female_survey/part1.html. AskMen.com, “Part I: Dating & Sex,” The Great Male Survey, 2010 Edition, http://www.askmen.com/specials/2010_great_male_survey.
GENDER WARS
Don’t Use Up the Hot Water
Men are more likely than women to shower at least once a day: 1 in 1.4 vs. 1 in 1.8
SOURCE: Moen, “Who’s Sloppier in the Bathroom, Men or Women? Both According to a New Survey by Moen, Inc.,” press release, September 11, 2006.
Take Care of Your Fingers and Toes
The odds a person who gets a manicure or pedicure is:
A female 20 or younger 1 in 11.9
A woman 21–25 1 in 7.5
A woman 26–35 1 in 4.8
A woman 36–45 1 in 3.9
A woman 46 or older 1 in 3.7
A man 1 in 23.3
SOURCE: 2010 Industry Statistics, Nails Magazine, http://files.nailsmag.com/Market-Research/bb2010-11stats-reprints.pdf.
The odds an adult usually showers in the morning: 1 in 1.6
The odds an adult usually showers in the evening: 1 in 3.6
SOURCE: Moen, “Who’s Sloppier in the Bathroom, Men or Women? Both According to a New Survey by Moen, Inc.,” press release, September 11, 2006.
Ever Hear of Deodorant?
The odds a woman will report that she has dumped a man because of his body odor: 1 in 7.1
SOURCE: “What Are the Rules of Attraction?” Elle/MSNBC.com Sex and Beauty Survey, Elle magazine, 2004.
It’s Not All for Show
The odds a woman believes wearing makeup makes her feel more self-confident: 1 in 1.2
The odds a woman does not like being caught without makeup on: 1 in 3.3
SOURCES: “L’Oreal 100th Anniversary Cosmetic Usage Survey,” press release, August 27, 2009. J Weaver, “What Are Our Dating Pet Peeves?,” Elle/MSNBC.com Sex and Beauty Survey, MSNBC.com, May 5, 2005, http://www
.nbcnews.com/id/7736649.
Breakfast
Time for Caffeine
The odds an adult will drink coffee in a day: 1 in 1.8
SOURCE: National Coffee Association Drinking Trends Study, March 2007.
The Odds an Adult Regularly Eats Breakfast: 1 in 1.6
What’s Usually for Breakfast?
1 in 3.3: Cold cereal
1 in 9.1: Bacon and eggs
1 in 11.1 Hot cereal
1 in 11.1: Eggs, no bacon or ham
1 in 20: Toast
1 in 25: Bagel
1 in 33.3: French toast
1 in 50: Muffin
1 in 100: Pancakes
SOURCE: G Langer, “What’s for Breakfast? Liver and Grits!,” ABC News Poll, press release, May 15, 2005.
The odds a dollar spent on food eaten at home will be for fruits and vegetables: 1 in 6.3
SOURCE: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Consumer Expenditures in 2009, Report 1029, May 2011.
What Type of Restaurant Food Do Adults Prefer? Odds Are:
1 in 3.6: American
1 in 4.5: Italian
1 in 5.9: Mexican
1 in 6.3: Chinese
1 in 14.3: Japanese
1 in 50: Indian
1 in 100: French
1 in 100: Middle Eastern
SOURCE: Harris Interactive, “American Food Top Choice for People When Dining Out,” 2007.
ODDS COUPLE
Who Took the Last Slice?
The odds an adult has eaten cold pizza for breakfast 1 in 2.6
The odds an adult usually skips breakfast 1 in 2.6
SOURCE: G Langer, “What’s for Breakfast? Liver and Grits!,” ABC News Poll, press release, May 15, 2005.
The Lowdown on Organic Food
1 in 1.3: The odds an adult believes organic food is safer for the environment.
1 in 1.3: The odds an adult believes organic food is healthier.
1 in 2.7: The odds an adult believes organic food tastes better.
1 in 1.1: The odds an adult thinks organic food is more expensive.
1 in 3: The odds an adult rarely purchases organic food.
1 in 100: The odds an adult purchases organic food all the time.
SOURCE: Harris Interactive, “Large Majorities See Organic Food as Safer, Better for the Environment and Healthier—But More Expensive,” Harris Poll #97, press release, October 8, 2007.
Staying Fit
To achieve substantial health benefits, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends, adults should do the equivalent of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise a week in episodes of 10 minutes or more.
SOURCES: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Book of Odds Estimates based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Physical Activity Statistics [Internet database], http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/PASurveillance/DemoComparev.asp.
GENDER WARS
The odds a man will take a multivitamin at least once a week are 1 in 1.9 vs. 1 in 1.6 for a woman.
SOURCE: JE Kimmons, HM Blanck, BC Tohill, J Zhang, LK Khan, “Multivitamin Use in Relation to Self-Reported Body Mass Index and Weight Loss Attempts,” Medscape Journal of Medicine 8(3), July 6, 2006: 3.
Since 2009, the odds an adult is vegetarian have stayed roughly the same: 1 in 31.4. The odds of being vegan? 1 in 229 in 2009; 1 in 100 in 2012.
SOURCES: Vegetarian Times study, “Vegetarianism in America,” http://www.vegetariantimes.com/features/archive_of_editorial/667. C Stahler, “How Often Do Americans Eat Vegetarian Meals? And How Many Adults in the US Are Vegetarians? The Vegetarian Resource Group Asks in a 2012 National Harris Poll,” Vegetarian Resource Group Blog, May 18, 2012.
GENDER WARS
At the Gym
The odds a man/woman will at least once a year:
walk for fitness
man: 1 in 3 woman: 1 in 2.2
use free weights
man: 1 in 4.1 woman: 1 in 5.2
use weight or resistance machines
man: 1 in 4.9 woman: 1 in 8.8
run or jog for fitness
man: 1 in 5.5 woman: 1 in 7.6
use a treadmill
man: 1 in 5.8 woman: 1 in 5.2
use a stationary bike
man: 1 in 8.2 woman: 1 in 8.1
use an abdominal machines
man: 1 in 12.8 woman: 1 in 16.7
stretch
man: 1 in 10.1 woman: 1 in 6.4
do home gym exercises
man: 1 in 10.2 woman: 1 in 12.8
use an elliptical motion trainer
man: 1 in 11.2 woman: 1 in 10.1
do aerobics
man: 1 in 15.8 woman: 1 in 5.8
swim
man: 1 in 15.8 woman: 1 in 16.5
use a stair-climbing machine
man: 1 in 22.1 woman: 1 in 21.1
use a rowing machine
man: 1 in 26.2 woman: 1 in 36.8
do yoga
man: 1 in 28.4 woman: 1 in 9.5
calisthenics
man: 1 in 25.7 woman: 1 in 38.8
do aquatic exercises
man: 1 in 49.6 woman: 1 in 24.3
do Pilates training
man: 1 in 107 woman: 1 in 19.7
do cardio kickboxing
man: 1 in 69.5 woman: 1 in 35.9
do tai chi
man: 1 in 99.3 woman: 1 in 75.6
SOURCE: Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, Tracking the Fitness Movement 2009, 2010.
GENDER WARS
A person is considered inactive if he/she does not participate in any physical activity beyond the usual light or sedentary activities of daily living.
The odds a woman is inactive are 1 in 7 vs. 1 in 7.9 for a man.
SOURCES: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Physical Activity Statistics [Internet database], http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/PASurveillance/DemoComparev.asp.
Numbers Tell the Story
Resolving to do better, an adult makes a New Year’s resolution to:
Exercise more frequently: 1 in 4.4
Lose weight: 1 in 4.6
Eat a healthier diet or less food: 1 in 4.8
The odds the resolution will be kept throughout the year:
Exercise more frequently: 1 in 2.2
Lose weight: 1 in 2.3
Eat a healthier diet or less food: 1 in 1.8
SOURCE: “Fewer U.S. Adults Are Making New Year’s Resolutions, According to the Latest WSJ.com/Harris Interactive Study,” Wall Street Journal Online, February 12, 2008.
ODDS COUPLE
Love Those Greens?
The odds an adult is vegetarian or vegan: 1 in 25
The odds an adult’s favorite sport is golf: 1 in 25
SOURCES: C Stahler, “How Often Do Americans Eat Vegetarian Meals? And How Many Adults in the US Are Vegetarians? The Vegetarian Resource Group Asks in a 2012 National Harris Poll,” Vegetarian Resource Group Blog, May 18, 2012. Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, Tracking the Fitness Movement 2009, 2010.
Be Careful with Those Weights!
The odds a person will wind up in the ER due to an accident involving exercise or exercise equipment: 1 in 808
SOURCE: US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2010 NEISS Data Highlights, June 2011.
Fitness Levels by State
The odds a man/woman will get the recommended amount of exercise in a week:
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Physical Activity Statistics [Internet database], http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/PASurveillance/DemoComparev.asp.
Height
5 foot 2, Eyes of Blue: The Odds of a Given Height
The odds a man 20–79 is:
5 feet 4 inches tall or less 1 in 23.7
5 feet 5 inches tall 1 in 32
5 feet 6 inches tall 1 in 18.1<
br />
5 feet 7 inches tall 1 in 12
5 feet 8 inches tall 1 in 8.2
5 feet 9 inches tall 1 in 9
5 feet 10 inches tall 1 in 7
5 feet 11 inches tall 1 in 7.8
6 feet tall 1 in 10.7
6 feet 1 inch tall 1 in 11
6 feet 2 inches tall 1 in 23.3
6 feet 3 inches tall 1 in 31.1
6 feet 4 inches tall 1 in 65.4
6 feet 5 inches tall 1 in 222
6 feet 6 inches tall or taller 1 in 513
The odds a woman 20–79 is:
4 feet 11 inches tall or less 1 in 32.7
5 feet tall 1 in 23.1
5 feet 1 inch tall 1 in 14.6
5 feet 2 inches tall 1 in 12
5 feet 3 inches tall 1 in 8.3
5 feet 4 inches tall 1 in 6.7
5 feet 5 inches tall 1 in 7.3
5 feet 6 inches tall 1 in 7.2
5 feet 7 inches tall 1 in 10.3
5 feet 8 inches tall 1 in 15.1
5 feet 9 inches tall 1 in 34.9
5 feet 10 inches tall 1 in 41.7
5 feet 11 inches tall 1 in 101
6 feet tall 1 in 517
6 feet 1 inch tall 1 in 1,140
6 feet 2 inches tall 1 in 2,686
6 feet 3 inches tall or taller 1 in 1,101
SOURCE: Book of Odds estimate based on height by age from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data published in the Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2012, 131st ed., Washington, DC, 2010, http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/, and also US Census Bureau, 2008 National Population Projections, August 2008.
Obesity by State
SOURCE: “Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among US Adults,” Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Overweight and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011, http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html#Prevalence/.
Book of Odds Page 23
