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News Features
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By CANDICE REED Thursday, 31 August 2006
NEW ZEALANDERS are more likely to sacrifice an indulgence for improved health than Australians, a trans-Tasman Health Poll by Reader’s Digest reveals. Up to 71 per cent of people surveyed would give up fast food, 67 per cent would quit smoking and 62 per cent would become sober, according to poll results to be published in Reader’s Digest’s September issue. Other indulgences to be sacrificed for better health include deserts, chocolate, overseas holidays, new clothes or shoes, cell phones, pasta, bread and pets. While answers by 1006 Australians and 303 Kiwis were “startlingly similar”, Kiwis are more willing to trade an indulgence for better health. Other results show 41 per cent suffer from stress, but half of those with children admit to stress levels “off the charts” compared to 38 per cent for those without children. The middle-aged say stress is a major issue, with 48 per cent in the 30 to 34 years group “struggling to cope” and 46 per cent in the 35 to 39 years group, just “struggling”. Women worry more about health with 30 per cent taking active steps to prevent and better their health compared to seven per cent of males, who avoid thinking about health and 19 per cent not seeking help until something is wrong. Overall, 47 per cent rate their health as better than ok, 30 per cent say their health is ok and 23 per cent rate their health as poor. Reader’s Digest NZ editor-in-chief Tom Moore describes the survey as a “mini check up”. “With life expectancy rising, medical advances and the fact we’re better educated with greater access to health services, we wanted to see what people really thought about their health,” says Mr Moore. Making wise choices in balanced lifestylesIN the wake of a Reader’s Digest health poll that New Zealanders are more prepared to sacrifice a vice for good health than our trans-Tasman neighbours, Times health reporter CANDICE REED asks community leaders what they would trade for good health.• Reay Neben, Times Newspapers Managing Director “I’m a real sweet tooth, I always have been and so it would have to be sweets that I give up for good health. I have lollies often and I know it’s what I need to give up. It’s the only bad thing I do. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, but I love sweets.” • Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau City “In the last six months I have changed my diet. I realised my weight was something I had to get under control, so I have no snacks between meals anymore. For breakfast I have a protein shake, I have a salad and glass of water religiously for lunch everyday of the week and for dinner I have a piece of chicken or steak or fish with vegetables and I leave it at that. It’s simple, straightforward and I have a very strong will not to deviate from that diet.” • Jim Searle, Counties Manukau East Police Chief “I would sacrifice anything, definitely material things like a car, but pretty much anything other than family, friends and the health of my colleagues.” • Dick Quax, Manukau City Councillor, former Olympic medallist and track star “I like to think I lead a reasonably healthy lifestyle. I don’t smoke and I don’t drink much. I suppose if it guaranteed me good health I would give up my occasional glass of wine, but I read somewhere that was actually good for you. I would be prepared to give up coffee too. I have more than one cup a day, probably between three and five, but I would give it up for good health.” • Maurice Williamson, National Party MP for Pakuranga “I’m truly an internet junkie. So if someone said to me I had to give up something right now or I would get very sick, it would be the internet. I don’t think I could give it up completely, but I would limit my time. “I spend way too much time browsing the internet, reading stories and articles. “Sometimes I start on one site and it leads on to another one and hours later I’m still reading about the same topic. It’s very addictive.” • Robyn Burns, Botany Town Centre Manager “I’ve actually just joined the gym, but if I had to give something up it would be the odd glass of wine I have. I would also give up chocolate, but only if my cholesterol absolutely required it.” • Peter Charles Leitch, QSM, The Mad Butcher, Kiwis Manager “There’d be a lot of things I’d give up for better health, but if it guaranteed me good health and a longer life I’d be prepared to give up the grog. I don’t drink tea or coffee and only drink Mizone water. I have a few more (alcohol) drinks than the occasional glass (of wine), I like to partake in a few drinks actually, but I’d give it all up for a better life and better health.” | |||||||||
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