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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 Louisiana.
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Louisiana Wellness Challenges:
Exercise
The survey shows that 27 percent of Louisiana 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, 89 percent ofLouisiana residents drive. However, when they do exercise, the focus is ongeneral health (29 percent), cardiovascular endurance (24 percent) and weightloss (21 percent).
Stress
Forty-two percent of Louisianans report having a "very" or "somewhat" highstress level, according to the Amway Global Wellness Index. Forty-nine percentof Louisiana residents find that talking to family and friends is a highlyeffective way of coping with their stress. Increasing physical activity(34 percent) and sleep (30 percent) also top the list, while 19 percent turnto food for comfort and 18 percent practice yoga. Only 11 percent of residentsdecrease the time they spend using technology gadgets to reduce stress.
Sleep
While 31 percent of Louisiana residents report that not getting enoughexercise is one of the biggest wellness challenges, an even higher percentage(38 percent) report that getting enough sleep is a major challenge. Onlyfifteen percent of Louisianans judge their current state of wellness by theamount of sleep they get.
Weight
Forty percent of Louisiana residents consider themselves obese oroverweight, yet only 20 percent of Louisiana respondents gauge their state ofwellness by their current weight.
The Economy, Election and Wellness
Forty-two percent of Americans, versus 31 percent of Louisianans, reportthat the economy is having a negative impact on their wellness choices. Forthe 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). Overall,30 percent of Louisianans and 33 percent of Americans claim that thecandidates' positions on personal wellness will influence how they vote thiselection.
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 per
