Medium and Message Press release from survey monkey results

For immediate release

STRANGLE STRESS FOR THE WEEK
Research has been published by the UK health charity, Get Fit Keep Fit to mark the start of their Strangle Stress campaign. The event is being run along-side medical students from the Eastbridge Hospital. The campaign hopes to inform people about the dangers of stress-related illnesses.

The survey, which was conducted among a selection of adults in the Eastbridge area, suggests that recent money worries during the economic downturn, could mean serious implications for our long-term health.

A staggering 61% of people believe that current money worries are making them more stressed. A further 22% said they were regularly comfort eating to relieve worries, and an alarming 22% said they were smoking and drinking more because of the worries they had over money and job security.

Rachel Young, Communications Manager for the Get Fit Keep Fit charity said, “Our research findings are alarming, 33% of the people surveyed say they are losing sleep over money worries, add to this poor diet, working longer hours leading to lack of exercise, and this will all have serious knock on effects to the quality of our health.”

The survey suggests that a balanced diet of healthy food choices is being replaced by cut-backs on the types of food we buy. A staggering 81% of people believing cutting back on staple food shopping is a good way to save money.

Although 72% of people have said that such cut-backs would include luxury items, 25% of people considered the price of fresh fruit and vegetables in supermarkets to be too high when making conscious decisions to save money.

44% of people would look at the price of an item above quality or healthier options, and 60% of people strongly believe that supermarkets are encouraging unhealthy eating by offering special offers on the wrong items. Of the people surveyed 8% said that longer working hours meant less time for home cooking and supermarket ready-meal options were the most convenient for them.

Dr Peter Davis of the Royal Eastbridge hospital said, “Most people are virtually unaware of the fat and salt levels contained in supermarket ready-meals. Around 16million adults in the UK are currently suffering from high blood pressure and heart related diseases, many of which are caused by stress and poor diet. Most cases are in fact preventable or treatable but the biggest killer in the UK is heart attacks and strokes because so often the triggers are not dealt with in time.



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Notes to editor
The Strangle Stress week will run from the 23rd February to the 1st March.
Varies information and free stress testing will be available from staff at the Eastbridge hospital.
For further information call Ellie May of Fresh Communications on 01206 817434.