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Free YMCA Wellness Events
In support of individuals and families struggling to make healthierchoices, Amway Global and the YMCA are hosting free wellness events open tothe public at select YMCAs on Sept. 20, 2008, as part of America On the MoveWeek. As a first step, health seekers can go to http://www.inspirewellness.comand take the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment. Then, they can bringtheir summary reports to a local YMCA to talk with a health and wellness staffmember about steps they can take toward a healthier life. Go tohttp://www.inspirewellness.com for a list of participating YMCAs in Florida.
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Florida Wellness Challenges:
Stress
Thirty-five percent of Floridians report having a "very" or "somewhat"high stress level, according to the Amway Global Wellness Index, compared tothe national average (40 percent). Forty-five percent of Florida residentsfind that talking to family and friends is a highly effective way of copingwith their stress. Increasing physical activity (32 percent) and sleep(32 percent) also top the list, while 21 percent practice yoga and 15 percentturn to food for comfort. Only 7 percent of residents decrease the time theyspend using technology gadgets to reduce stress.
Exercise
The survey shows that 25 percent of Florida residents, versus 23 percentnationally, are not exercising for at least 30 minutes or more at a time on aregular basis. That's well under the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)recommendation of a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physicalactivity per day or a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physicalactivity three days a week. When it comes to the work commute, 91 percent ofFlorida residents drive or use public transportation. However, when they doexercise, the focus is on general wellness (35 percent), cardiovascularendurance (28 percent) and weight loss (16 percent).
Sleep
While 40 percent of Florida residents report that not getting enoughexercise is one of the biggest wellness challenges, 27 percent also reportgetting enough sleep as a major challenge. Only 9 percent of Floridians judgetheir current state of wellness by the amount of sleep they get.
Weight
Forty percent of Florida residents consider themselves obese oroverweight, yet only 23 percent of Florida respondents gauge their state ofwellness by their current weight.
The Election, Economy and Wellness
Thirty-six percent of Floridians and 33 percent of Americans claim thatthe candidates' positions on personal wellness will influence how they votethis election. Additionally, 44 percent of Floridians, versus 42 of Americans,report that the economy is having a negative impact on their wellness choices.For the nation, current economic conditions also are negatively affecting thewellness of 51 percent of non-working parents versus 43 percent of workingparents. And, when it comes to the battle of the sexes, the health of women isaffected more by the economy (44 percent) than men (40 percent).
About the Amway Global Wellness Index
The Amway Global Wellness Index is a national survey of 15,035 Americanadults ages 18 and older to uncover American views toward the concept ofwellness and individual, family and community wellness. Commissioned by AmwayGlobal, the study has an estimated margin of error of +/-0.8 percentage poi
