ADA, Mich., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ — While 93 percent of Americans report attempting to make everyday choices to be healthy and live well, more than 46 percent of Massachusetts residents say they struggle to do so, according to the Amway Global Wellness Index, a recent national survey of more than 15,000 Americans regarding their health and wellness. Massachusetts residents report that the two main barriers preventing them from living a healthier lifestyle include lack of time (39 percent) and the cost associated with eating a balanced diet (22 percent).

Free YMCA Wellness Events

In support of individuals and families struggling to make healthier choices, Amway Global and the YMCA are hosting free wellness events open to the public at select YMCAs on Sept. 20, 2008, as part of America On the Move Week. As a first step, health seekers can go to http://www.inspirewellness.com and take the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment. Then, they can bring their summary reports to a local YMCA to talk with a health and wellness staff member about steps they can take toward a healthier life. Go to http://www.inspirewellness.com for a list of participating YMCAs in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Wellness Challenges:

Stress

Forty-five percent of Massachusetts residents report having a "very" or "somewhat" high stress level, according to the Amway Global Wellness Index, compared to the national average (40 percent). Fifty-five percent of Massachusetts residents find that talking to family and friends is a highly effective way of coping with their stress. Increasing physical activity (41 percent) and sleep (35 percent) also top the list, while 22 percent practice yoga and 20 percent turn to food for comfort. Fourteen percent of residents also decrease the time they spend using technology gadgets to reduce stress, which is well above the national average (9 percent).

The Economy, Election and Wellness

Forty-seven percent of Massachusetts residents, versus 42 percent 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 the wellness of 51 percent of non-working parents, versus 43 percent of working parents. And, when it comes to the battle of the sexes, the health of women is affected more by the economy (44 percent) than men (40 percent). Overall, 34 percent of Massachusetts residents and 33 percent of Americans claim that the candidates' positions on personal wellness will influence how they vote this election.

Exercise

The survey shows that 18 percent of Massachusetts residents, versus 23 percent nationally, are not exercising for at least 30 minutes or more at a time on a regular basis. That's well under the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation of a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day or a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity three days a week. When it comes to the work commute, 85 percent of Massachusetts residents drive or use public transportation. However, when they do exercise, the focus is on general wellness (36 percent), cardiovascular endurance (28 percent) and weight loss (16 percent).

Sleep

While 36 percent of Massachusetts residents report that not getting enough exercise is one of the biggest wellness challenges, 40 percent also report getting enough sleep as a major challenge. Only 11 percent of Massachusetts residents judge their current state of wellness by the amount of sleep they get.

Weight

Thirty-nine percent of Massachusetts residents consider themselves obese or overweight, yet only 21 percent of Massachusetts respondents gauge their state of wellness by their current weight.

About the Amway Global Wellness Index

The Amway Global Wellness Index is a national survey of 15,035 American adults ages 18 and older to uncover American views toward the concept of wellness 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 more information and state-specific statistics, go to http://www.inspirewellness.com.

About Amway Global

Amway Global offers the opportunity for people to have a business of their own based on retailing products and sharing the opportunity with others who will 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 by communities of those who have already built successful businesses. Amway Global has been ranked the No. 1 online health and beauty retailer based on sales, and 26th among all e-commerce sites, according to Internet Retailer magazine, based on 2007 sales. Based in Ada, Mich., Amway Global is the North American affiliate of Amway Corp., a worldwide leader in direct selling, with more than three million IBOs in more than 80 countries and territories around the world. The Amway business opportunity operated as Quixtar Inc. in North America from 1999 until 2008. As Amway transforms its North American business with exceptional new products, expanded support, and enhanced compensation, the company is leveraging its ties to the nearly $7 billion international Amway business and transitioning to the Amway Global brand in North America.

SOURCE Amway Global

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