Survey Finds Americans Resolved to Improve Health,
Senior Citizens Most Likely to Do It
American Heart Association introduces free social
media application to help keep exercise, diet commitment
Jan. 5, 2010 The American Heart Association has
introduced a new online program to help the 58 percent of Americans who
have resolved to improve their health in 2010. The association survey
also shows senior citizens strongly prefer diet over exercise as the way
to improve their health, and that these seniors are much more likely to
keep their resolve than are younger people.
More than
half of all people surveyed said they often find reasons not to
exercise, and this is the major target group for the new online program.
Excuses range from too much stress at work to having nothing to wear to
simple procrastination.
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story
The American Heart Association's Start! initiative
is introducing the Start! Daily Walking Guide, a FREE social media
application that can get more Americans active and help them keep their
health and physical activity resolutions.
Nearly half of all Americans use online tools to
track their health.
"The Start! Daily Walking Guide is the ideal tool
to keep us committed to our New Year's resolutions," said Clyde Yancy,
M.D., president of the American Heart Association.
"We spend 164 more hours per year at work than we
did 20 years ago, and for many Americans that means lots of time on
computers. This application allows you to keep track of your physical
activity, see progress, find accountability and get great
encouragement."
The Start! Daily Walking Guide can be downloaded
and embedded into a variety of sites including Facebook, Windows Live
and iGoogle.
Users get started with a quiz that generates 12
weeks worth of customized walking plans, a private journal section that
lets users record their walks and reference archived exercises, and keep
motivated with daily inspirational messages and heart-health tips.
Members can also chat with virtual "sole-mates" via
the Start! Connections function. A previous Start! study revealed that
American adults are 76 percent more likely to take a walk if another
person is counting on them.
Heart disease and stroke are America's No. 1 and
No. 3 killers, despite being largely preventable though a healthy
lifestyle. Cardiovascular disease claims nearly 865,000 lives a year and
physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Physically
active people reduce their cardiovascular disease risk by 30 percent.
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate
intensity physical activity, like brisk walking, each week. Download the
Start! Daily Walking Guide at
www.startwalkingnow.org.
● Customized walking programs for beginner,
intermediate and advanced walkers;
● Online tracking tools to document
calories
consumed, steps taken and walking routes;
● Sole-mates social networking capabilities to
find and support like-minded walkers;
● A grocery list builder and archives of
heart-healthy recipes;
● Downloadable seasonal walking guides with tips
to maintain a routine regardless of the weather; and
● Start! walking videos, produced in
collaboration with ExerciseTV, making an at-home workout easier with
tips and motivation.
Key Survey
Results by Age Group
Health alone is a stronger
improvement priority as Americans age, with significantly
more of those age 65+ (60%)being more resolved to make
health changes compared to all other age groups. Wealth is a
significantly lower improvement priority for the senior
citizens. Emphasis on wealth alone decreases with age.
Age Group
Total
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Health
(%)
34
24
24
25
33
40
60
Wealth
(%)
14
25
15
14
13
11
9
Both (%)
52
51
62
61
54
49
32
Do you use the internet to
look for health information? Almost three-quarters of adults
do. Seniors just slightly below average. Women much more
than men.
Age Group
Total
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Yes (%)
72
64
77
73
70
77
70
Sex
Total
Men
Women
Yes (%)
72
63
81
Choosing diet versus
exercise to lose weight? Younger people place more
importance on increasing physical
activity. Improving diet is generally more important to
senior citizens.
Age Group
Total
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Improving
diet
17
15
15
17
20
11
24
Increasing
physical activity
26
33
33
27
18
21
17
Both
58
52
52
56
62
68
60
How likely to keep a New
Years resolution to improve their health. Seniors excel in
resolve
Age Group
Total
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
WILL
73
62
70
74
75
74
80
WONT
27
38
30
26
25
27
20
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and
largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier
lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and
defeat these diseases America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers we fund
cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional
educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn
more call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit
americanheart.org.
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