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Community Info Health News
 How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page Community News P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 http://www.slfp.com Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com  |
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ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), Dec. 27, 2001 - Each fall, the annual CIGNA(R) Be Healthy ... Be Fit survey measures the health and fitness behavior of students nationwide, by age group, gender, and geographic location. The survey information was collected from students in Los Angeles, Tampa, Atlanta, Hartford, Memphis, New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C., and Dallas. Students were asked about their nutritional habits, safety habits, self-appearance, physical activity and anger management. Responses from 7,500 school children indicated that kids are not always leading healthy lifestyles. The survey revealed that two-thirds of American children do not follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommended nutritional guidelines and nearly 70 percent do not comply with basic personal safety guidelines that include using seatbelts, helmets and other safety gear. The survey did show that pre-teens (up to age 12) tend to have better health and fitness habits than teenagers, and that good attitudes about safety, appearance, exercise and nutrition appear to be closely related. "The information gathered suggests that as kids enter their teen years, they are likely to take more risks with personal safety, not eat as well and get less exercise," said Sean Cronin, CIGNA corporate research director. "Students who eat well also tend to be more concerned about safety, have a positive self-image and exercise more frequently. And unhealthy attitudes appear to be correlated in the same way. This gives us some insights about where we need to focus efforts to encourage healthy attitudes and behavior among our kids," said Cronin. The survey results support similar findings by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Study which shows that certain health-risk behaviors are often established during youth and are interrelated and preventable. Many of these behaviors contribute to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults. According to the CDC, two-thirds of deaths among people 25 years of age and older result from cardiovascular disease and cancer. The majority of risk behaviors associated with these two diseases - including unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity - are initiated during teenage years. "Understanding the health issues facing today's youth - and the impact those issues might have on their health in the future - helps equip parents, educators and the health care community to enhance the well-being of today's children and tomorrow's adults," said Dr. Allen Woolf, leader of the CIGNA HealthCare's Well Aware Program for Better Health(R), a management program for chronic diseases. CIGNA HealthCare sponsors disease management and health and fitness programs designed to provide members of all ages the tools they need to make informed health care decisions and lead healthier lifestyles. "Sedentary behavior and poor nutrition among today's youth could mean a greater incidence of adult-onset illnesses, such as heart disease or osteoporosis. We need to understand and act on these behaviors now while we can still influence them and help teenagers adopt better health and fitness habits," said Dr. Woolf. The CIGNA Be Healthy ... Be Fit program, CIGNA Corporation, headquartered in Philadelphia, and its subsidiaries constitute one of the largest publicly owned employee benefits organizations in the United States. Its subsidiaries are major providers of employee benefits offered through the workplace, including health care products and services; group life, accident and disability insurance; retirement products and services; and investment management.  Archived Stories: Asthma Is A Growing Concern in St. Louis More Americans Change Their Eating Habits Due to Heath and Nutrition Concerns TFTC Challenges Comfrey Products Promoted via Internet What's the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke? Think Sparklers Are Safe? Think Again, Says SLUCare Opthalmologist Four-day Local Pollen Forecast Desktop Tool Helps Allergy Suffers Electronic Meal and Health Management Tool  The SLFP.com - Community Info is presented in conjunction with the St. Louis Front Page and Southwest Illinois News. The sites are owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group . |
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