Human Body: What Do We Know?

Just for fun, let's ask you first: Would you consider yourself knowledgeable about the human body?
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Your body’s biology supports your five senses and your conscious self. But do you really know how it all works? Recently, USANA sponsored a survey of 2,000 Americans conducted through OnePoll to find out. And it turns out, we could all benefit from less Google searches and more visits to Ask the Scientists.

Here are some of the poll’s highlights. Follow along to see how you fare compared to most Americans.

35% of Americans don’t know their own blood type. And while four in five might consider themselves knowledgeable about the human body, only one in 10 know O-negative is the universal blood type. One quarter identified the correct number of blood groups (there are four—A, B, AB, and O).

One-third of respondents knew how many valves are in the human heart (four) and that the average body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Could you tell the difference between a liver and kidney? Nearly three in 10 (29%) misidentified the two. One-third didn’t know the human body has two kidneys, and one in five thought the body had three or more.

When asked which organs contributed to the body’s detox system, some respondents stumbled.

Nearly a third thought the lungs played a part, while one in five named the heart or bones as part of the detox process.

Beyond general health facts, 86% of respondents said they’re knowledgeable about nutrition, even though 47% wish they knew more about it.

Less than half of respondents knew the recommended amount of fiber in a daily diet (25-30g).

And while three in four people think vitamins are vital to filling nutritional gaps, nearly three in 10 (27%) are not currently taking any.

While the results didn’t paint the most positive picture, a number of respondents want to learn more about certain aspects of health and medicine.

Forty-six percent would like to expand their knowledge around mental health, while 38% said they would like to look into cardiology. 32% want further education on reproductive health, and 31% are interested in alternative medicine.

And when medical queries arise, most Americans consult the internet for answers.

Three in five have sought advice from their doctor concerning medical issues, but increasingly more people are turning to Google to explain what’s going on with their bodies.

Half of the respondents have searched the internet for medical advice. The average person will only wait six hours following a new sensation before Googling symptoms.

Respondents will search Google from almost anywhere, including coffee shops (27%), while out shopping (21%), in the car (38%), or from the office (46%). The most common spot to Google medical symptoms, according to 59% of respondents, is from the comfort of their bed.

“We have so much going on in our lives, we sometimes forget our health should come first. For a lot of us, high school anatomy classes were ages ago,” says Dr. Rob Sinnott, USANA’s chief scientific officer. “I’m not surprised that a lot of people aren’t well-versed in nutrition and the mechanics of the body. But with everything happening in the world right now, it’s a good time to take your health seriously and learn about your body and how it works.”

The results of this eye-opening survey were shared by media outlets around the world, including YahooAOLMSN, and the New York Post. USANA had the invaluable opportunity to ask questions about specific nutritional supplements to assist our market research. With this information, we have clearer insight into how well-versed people are on various health topics, and where USANA can step in to help fill the gaps.​​

know your body survey infographic

3 replies
  1. Peggy A Roache
    Peggy A Roache says:

    Love this! Just fyi though – The video correctly shows “3 in 4 people think vitamins are important” and then says “3 in 4 currently aren’t taking vitamins”. It should say 3 in 10, as shown by the graphic right underneath the statement, and in the infographic in this post.

    Reply

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