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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 Minnesota.
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Minnesota Wellness Challenges:
Exercise
The survey shows that 21 percent of Minnesota residents, versus 23 percentnationally, are not exercising for at least 30 minutes or more at a time on aregular basis. While better than the national average, that's well under theCenters for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation of a minimum of 30 minutes ofmoderate-intensity physical activity per day or a minimum of 20 minutes ofvigorous-intensity physical activity three days a week. When it comes to thework commute, 90 percent of Minnesota residents drive or use publictransportation. However, when they do exercise, the focus is on generalwellness (43 percent), cardiovascular endurance (24 percent) and weight loss(14 percent).
Stress
Thirty-two percent of Minnesotans report having a "very" or "somewhat"high stress level, compared to 40 percent of Americans, according to the AmwayGlobal Wellness Index. Fifty-one percent of Minnesota residents find thattalking to family and friends is a highly effective way of coping with theirstress. Increasing physical activity (48 percent) and sleep (41 percent) alsotop the list, while 15 percent practice yoga and 14 percent turn to food forcomfort. Only nine percent of residents decrease the time they spend usingtechnology gadgets to reduce stress.
Sleep
While 41 percent of Minnesota residents report that not getting enoughexercise is one of the biggest wellness challenges, 31 percent also reportgetting enough sleep as a major challenge. Only 12 percent of Minnesotansjudge their current state of wellness by the amount of sleep they get.
Weight
Forty-five percent of Minnesota residents consider themselves obese oroverweight, yet only 23 percent of Minnesota respondents gauge their state ofwellness by their current weight.
The Economy, Election and Wellness
Forty-two percent of Americans, versus 34 percent of Minnesotans, 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,34 percent of Minnesotans 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 Amw
