American researchers have found that following a Mediterranean-style diet can lower the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by 50 percent.

The study, headed up by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, looked at the diets of nearly 43,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The men who consumed a diet rich is vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains were found to be far less likely to suffer from COPD than men who consumed a Western-style diet of processed, high fat foods such as red meat and French fries. As well, men who ate more high fat foods were less likely to exercise and more likely to smoke. Smoking is considered to be the number one cause of COPD.

It is certainly no secret that an unhealthy lifestyle leads to health problems. That is why it should come as no surprise that poor eating habits, combined with smoking causes a serious lung disease. Researchers predict that by 2020 COPD will be the third leading cause of death not just in the U.S. but around the world. What is shocking is the fact that the men who participated in this study were health professionals. If doctors are unable to lead by example by managing their own health how can we expect the rest of the population to make healthier choices? Does anyone else see a problem here?