New research carried out on behalf of Aviva Health Insurance has shown the impact of Christmas eating and exercise habits, highlighting the need and importance of proactive health management.
- Irish personalities join forces in a bid to get healthy with six-week action plan
New research carried out on behalf of Aviva Health Insurance has shown the impact of Christmas eating and exercise habits, highlighting the need and importance of proactive health management. Statistics from the research showed that 25%1 of people in Ireland tend to gain three pounds or 1.5 kilos over the Christmas period, and a further 23%1 tend to gain two pounds or 1 kilo, which if not addressed could have a significant impact on the health of the nation, at a time when obesity figures are steadily increasing worldwide.
The research, published today by Aviva Health Insurance, shows that almost half (47%)1 of people eat one and a half times more over the Christmas holidays whilst a further 24%1 eat twice as much as they normally would during the rest of the year. The primary cause for this behaviour was identified as eating larger dinner portions than usual (62%1), whilst chocolate came in at a close second, with 61%1 of people saying they overeat the sweet treat.
Encouraging the nation to get fit and healthy this New Year are Radio and TV Presenter Mairead Farrell, new mum and model Sarah McGovern, Newstalk reporter Henry McKean, busy dad and former contestant on Masterchef Ireland, Pierce Maher, who will join forces from today to take on the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan in an effort to reach their personal health and fitness goals for 2012. The Aviva Get Fit Action Plan is a national campaign calling on all men and women across Ireland to take positive action to be more proactive about their health in 2012.
Encouragingly, the research also found that 55%1 of respondents exercise over the Christmas period, but of the remaining respondents who did not exercise, "I’m too lazy", "weather is too bad" and "I use Christmas for a rest" were identified as the main reasons for a lack of motivation to exercise. In response to these habits, 83%1 of respondents stated that they expected to gain weight over the Christmas period. Furthermore, over a quarter (27%1) of respondents said that they consumed 10 more units of alcohol over the Christmas holidays in one week compared with a normal week.
Commenting on the research, GP on Aviva’s medical council, Dr Stephen Murphy said: “Every year, I see my patients resolve to get back into shape in the New Year, however, being proactive about your health is much more than losing weight in the short term. Even just 30 minutes of exercise three times a week can have a huge impact on your energy and stress levels, sleeping patterns, and risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
"I would urge everyone to complete Aviva’s new online health check called Aviva Way to Health available at www.avivahealth.ie and to participate in the challenge to bring about behavioural change that can prolong and improve quality of life.”
A team of experts will work alongside the celebrities as they undertake the challenge, assessing their health and fitness levels, monitoring their progress and offering advice. They include; Dr Stephen Murphy, GP on Aviva’s medical council, Alan Murphy and Edita Bartejczuk-Wolak, fitness gurus with Fitsquad, Nutritionist Emma Buckley and Motivational Coach and Performance Psychologist Enda McNulty.
One of the celebrities taking on the challenge this year is former contestant on RTE’s Masterchef Ireland and food enthusiast, Pierce Maher.
Explaining why he decided to take part in the challenge Pierce said: “I have steadily put on weight over the past 10 years, but am now the heaviest I have ever been. A big wake up call came about when my dad’s health began to deteriorate a couple of years ago due to the onset of diabetes.
"I know that if I carry on the way I am I could also end up with health problems and I don’t want that to be me. Hopefully by taking part in the Get Fit Action Plan I can lose some weight and build up my strength and stamina so that I can play football with my seven-year-old and give him a run for his money!"
“There is little point in hitting the gym every day if you are not fueling your body in the right way, and the best way to start this is by looking at your relationship with food,” explains nutritionist Emma Buckley.
“Some people find that they eat more when they are alone, or when they are stressed out, so by looking at this relationship you can learn how to change the cycle and find a diet plan that suits your lifestyle.”
The Aviva Get Fit Action Plan will encourage members of the public to join in with the celebrities as they take on the challenge, by taking Aviva’s new online health check, Aviva Way to Health, to assess the status of their health. The celebrity participants’ progress can also be followed at avivahealth.ie and on Facebook.
For further information about the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan visit www.avivahealth.ie or the dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/avivaireland.
References:
1 Empathy Research. Aviva Get Fit Action Plan. Research carried out December 2011.
Notes:
- The Aviva Get Fit Action Plan research was carried out between 7-9 December 2011 by Empathy Research, and included 1,008 participants. The survey was carried out using Omnibuzz© among members of the Empathy Research IdeasPanel aged 18+.
- Participants in the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan 2012 include:
Celebrities
Sarah McGovern, new mum and model
Mairead Farrell, Radio and TV Presenter
Henry McKean , Newstalk Presenter and Reporter
Pierce Maher, busy dad and former contestant on Masterchef Ireland
Experts
Emma Buckley, Nutritionist
Alan Murphy and Edyta Bartejczuk-Wolak, fitness gurus with Fitsquad
Enda McNulty, Motivational Coach and Performance Psychologist
Dr Stephen Murphy, GP on Aviva’s Medical Council
Health Mate, Aviva’s health and fitness app, is available to download from the App Store and Android Market and provides detailed localised information and comes pre-loaded with 100 popular walking and running trails right across the country, along with a multi-media centre that allows you to post updates to Facebook and set the soundtrack to any workout.
Members of the public can participate in the Get Fit Action Plan by taking Aviva’s new online health check, the Aviva Way to Health, online at www.avivahealth.ie.
For further information on the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan log onto www.avivahealth.ie or check us out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/avivaireland)
Additional statistics uncovered in the research include:
- 64% of people said that they spent between €100-200 more on food over the Christmas period than what they usually spent even though over a quarter (26%1) of respondents ranked money worries as their number one stress over the Christmas period.
- More than two thirds (65%) said that they drank more alcohol than usual at home or in a friend’s house over the Christmas holidays.
-ends-
For further information or media queries please contact:
Pia Ward, Fleishman-Hillard
Telephone: +353 1 618 8438
Mobile: +353 87 932 7702
Email: pia.ward@fleishmaneurope.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited
Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited is Ireland’s fastest growing private health insurer. Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.