WASHINGTON, DC–In a federal report released this week, the government attempted to corral sexual orientation for the first time in a scientifically controlled study. The study, reported by the National Center for Health Statistics, was based on answers from more than 34,000 adults, and revealed that 1.6 percent of the population is gay or lesbian, 0.7 percent is bisexual, and 97.7 percent is heterosexual.

According to the study, all groups thought that their health was mostly excellent or very good, with the healthiest group being gay men at 55 percent. More than half of all groups also met federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity. Surprisingly, 69 percent of gay or lesbian adults reported that they had private health insurance, compared with 65 percent for heterosexuals and 57 percent for bisexuals. Bisexuals were more likely to have public health care (19 percent) compared with heterosexuals (16 percent) or gays and lesbians (15 percent).

As to specific behavior, some 30 percent of bisexuals and 27 percent of gays or lesbians were current cigarette smokers, compared to 20 percent of heterosexuals. Forty-two percent of bisexuals and 35 percent of gays or lesbians said they had drank alcoholic beverages in the last year, including a day when they had five or more drinks, while 26 percent of heterosexuals said the same.

Bisexuals registered the highest levels for serious psychological distress in the past 30 days (11 percent) and obesity (35 percent), compared to the other groups.