Diet is Top Problem in Health Survey of Workers
By Associated Press, 6/2/2002
RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) Vermonters can do more to improve their mental and physical health.
A new survey of heart disease in Vermont shows troubling findings about diet, exercise, substance abuse, mental health and stress. Of the 495 Rutland area workers surveyed, 12 percent could not cite a reason to live.
''If someone doesn't care if they wake up tomorrow, why should they care about their health?'' said Lisa Donohue, head of the Rutland County Cardiovascular Worksite Wellness Initiative.
Heart disease is the state's leading cause of death, killing more than 1,000 Vermonters a year. And experts say there's a link between the mind, body and overall physical health. ''We know it's not just about too much Ben & Jerry's,'' said Donohue. ''Connections to community are as important as a cholesterol test.''
Among the results, the survey found:
- Almost 70 percent of participants want to exercise more.
- 64 percent want healthier eating habits.
- 34 percent want more sleep.
- 26 percent want to quit smoking.
Many participants also wanted to make changes to their jobs.
Almost 30 percent, for example, don't feel comfortable taking personal time off. Overall, more than 40 percent feel their job is hazardous to their health. ''In this world it's always on the go, dashboard dining, working at all costs for fear of losing your job,'' Donohue said. ''It has a lot to do with people's health.''
And pocketbooks. Vermonters rack up almost $65 million in hospital bills annually because of heart disease. That led the James T. Bowse Community Health Trust to grant almost $300,000 to the Rutland County initiative, which produced the survey as part of its education effort.
''We wanted to get our arms around what the problems were,'' Donohue said. Diet is the most glaring problem. Nutritionists, for example, recommend five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. But 75 percent of all respondents eat no more than two a day.
Nine out of 10 people surveyed said they know what a healthy diet is, even if they don't follow one.
Half of all respondents said they often eat too much. For 23 percent, the reason is boredom and for 18 percent it's stress.
Less than half of all respondents report exercising or exerting themselves 30 minutes a day, with 23 percent exercising less than 10 minutes a day.
Less than half report sleeping a recommended 7 to 8 hours a night. About 7 percent sleep 3 to 4 hours and 44 percent sleep 5 to 6 hours.
Many have reason to be awake. Almost 30 percent of recipients say they have anxiety or panic attacks. Almost 35 percent report depression. Half express feelings of loneliness or isolation.
That, in turn, can lead to substance use and abuse. Half of all respondents said they had nine or more alcoholic drinks a week, with more than half of all drinkers saying they do so to relax or relieve stress.
A third of respondents also smoke.
Donohue said although the report shows problems, it also helps focus on solutions. The initiative, for example, will launch a public relations campaign this week to promote good health through Rutland area workplaces, churches, schools and community groups.
It also will continue to push for employee exercise breaks, healthy snacks in vending machines, stress reduction programs and regular medical checkups.
© Copyright 2002 Boston Globe Electronic Publishing Inc.
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