'Life…supplemented' study examines women's wellness habits

WASHINGTON — More than 25% of American women are focused on and proactive about their health and well-being, according to a national study released last week by “Life…supplemented.”

The study — My Wellness Scorecard National Study — ranked women on a scale from “AlphaWell” (those who are extremely proactive and meticulous about their health) to “OhWell” (those who do little to nothing about maintaining their health). Only 1% of women who participated in the study wree “AlphaWells”; 26% were “Wells”; and 42% and 31% were “WannabeWells” and “OhWells,” respectively.

“The average woman wears so many ‘hats’ that she often neglects taking adequate time for herself,” stated Cheryl Forberg, registered dietitian for “The Biggest Loser,” and consultant to the “Life…supplemented” campaign. “There’s no greater reminder than Women’s Health Month that women need to invest in themselves. If they spend just a little time evaluating their overall well-being, it is easy to develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”

According to the My Wellness Scorecard National Study, 58% of women reported doing a fairly good job of avoiding processed foods, watching what they eat when it comes to cholesterol-rich dishes and avoiding such fatty foods as whole milk and fatty meat. However, nearly 35% admitted they eat more cholesterol-rich and fatty foods than they should.

When it comes to vitamins and other dietary supplements, 61% of women reported taking a multivitamin, but only 46% took a multivitamin daily.

During the month of May, the “Life…supplemented” campaign, a consumer wellness program, is encouraging women to embrace the three pillars of health: healthy diet + supplements + exercise, to help them get back on the right track to good health.