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National Survey Shows Need to Improve Community Wellness Options

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 General News
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ADA, Mich., Oct. 7 Americans want to improve theirwellness, but are finding it difficult to keep up with regular exercise. TheAmway Global Wellness Index, a new study of more than 15,000 Americans, showsthat nearly one in five (18 percent) claim to never participate in a groupactivity, such as walking or biking with family or friends. And 23 percent --about 52 million Americans -- are not exercising for at least 30 minutes ormore at a time on a regular basis.
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The survey also found that while many Americans are satisifed with theircommunities' wellness offerings -- which include access to such things asaerobics and spin classes, trainers and nutritionists -- there's definitelyroom for improvement, as fewer than half of Americans are highly satisfied.Interestingly, the more Americans claim to exercise, the higher they ratetheir community's physical activity options, which include parks, walkingpaths, organized sports, gyms and more. For instance, 40 percent who exerciseon a daily basis rate their community offerings as "very good," versus just 28percent of those who do not exercise at least three times per week.
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Nominate a Teen Wellness Leader

Many Americans are seeking better wellness options in their communities,so Amway Global and YMCA of the USA want to reward teens who are making adifference on this front, from setting up after-school walking groups andfitness activities to advocacy for healthier food options in their schools. ATeen Wellness Leader from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbiawill be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship for further education plus a$1,000 donation toward his or her local YMCA. From Oct. 1 (8 a.m. EST) throughNov. 16, 2008 (10 a.m. EST), anyone can nominate a teen who is making adifference in their community. Go to http://www.inspirewellness.com tonominate a teen and for further details and official rules.

Wellness Tips

One barrier that prevents many Americans from living a healthier lifestyleis lack of time. The following tips and more are found athttp://www.inspirewellness.com to help individuals easily plan their wellnessroutines and track progress.

-- For easy and effective stress relief, stop and take deep breaths forjust five minutes a day. Use this time to focus on breathing or visualizingpositive imagery.

-- Exercise in 15 minute blocks if your schedule is too busy to fit in alonger workout.

-- Get your heart rate up with family and friends. Working out withothers holds you accountable to your goals.

-- Plan your indulgences. If you're going to your favorite restaurantover the weekend, make healthy eating decisions during the week, and thenreward yourself with your favorite dessert.

-- Develop and maintain a consistent bedtime schedule -- go to bed andwake up at the same time every day. You will eventually fall asleep faster.

Wellness by Region

Where people live in the U.S. may have an impact on their views aboutwellness. The Amway Global Wellness Index revealed some interesting variancesin the American wellness experience from region to region.

Northeast Region

Twenty percent of people in the Northeast are not satisfied with theircommunity's current wellness offerings overall, versus just 16 percent ofthose dissatisfied in both the Midwest and West. Northeasterners also areslightly more stressed out than other Americans, with 42 percent citing "very"or "somewhat" high stress levels, versus 40 percent nationally. They're alsomore likely to cite a lack of time (42 percent, versus 39 percent nationally)as a primary barrier to living a healthier lifestyle. More than half ofAmericans in the Northeast (51 percent, versus 47 percent of Southerners) talkto family and friends as the most effective way of coping with stress.

West Region

Those in the West do not turn to doctors as much for wellness advice andinformation (34 percent, versus 41 percent of Americans overall) and claim tobe better at making everyday choices to be healthy than Americans nationwide(50 percent, versus 46 percent, respectively). They also rate the quality ofphysical activities offered in their community higher than those in otherregions. About 44 percent in the West region are "very" or "extremely"satisfied with the current wellness offerings in their community, versus just37 percent in the Northeast.

Midwest Region

Fewer in the Midwest region claim to be good at making everyday choices tobe healthy and live well (43 percent, versus 46 percent nationwide). And, halfof Midwesterners consider themselves obese or overweight, versus just 45percent nationally.

South Region

Fifty percent of Southerners claim to struggle at making everyday choicesto be healthy and live well, versus 47 percent nationally. One in fourAmericans (25 percent) in the South do not exercise at least 30 minutes ormore at a time on a regular basis (versus 23 percent nationally and 19 percentin the West). Furthermore, one in five Southerners (20 percent) neverparticipates in a physical activity with family or friends, such as walking,biking or playing a sport.

About the Amway Global Wellness Index

The Amway Global Wellness Index is a national survey of 15,035 Americanadults ages 18 and older which uncovers American views toward the concept ofhealth and wellness as well as and individual, family and community wellness.Commissioned by Amway Global, the study has an estimated margin of error of+/-0.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. For moreinformation and state-specific statistics, go tohttp://www.inspirewellness.com.

About Amway Global

Amway Global offers the opportunity for people to have a business of theirown based on retailing products and sharing the opportunity with others whowill do the same. Amway Global supports Independent Business Owners (IBOs)with a proven compensation plan, portfolios of quality products in health,beauty and other consumer categories, plus the merchandising materials,training and education they need to be successful. IBOs also are supported bycommunities of those who have already built successful businesses.

Amway Global has been ranked the No. 1 online health and beauty retailerbased on sales, and 26th among all e-commerce sites, according to InternetRetailer magazine, based on 2007 sales. Based in Ada, Mich., Amway Global isthe North American affiliate of Amway Corp., a worldwide leader in directselling, with more than three million IBOs in more than 80 countries andterritories around the world. The Amway business opportunity operated asQuixtar Inc. in North America from 1999 until 2008. As Amway transforms itsNorth American business with exceptional new products, expanded support, andenhanced compensation, the company is leveraging its ties to the nearly $7billion international Amway business and transitioning to the Amway Globalbrand in North America.

SOURCE Amway Global
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