Lack of Exercise and Poor Diets Lead to Weight Problems and Health Issues for Half the Population

– New Statistics from Hibernian Aviva Health

Dublin, 1 September 2009 

According to research carried out by Hibernian Aviva Health, 48% of people in Ireland are overweight or dangerously overweight and almost a quarter of all adults do no physical exercise according to new statistics published by health insurer Hibernian Aviva Health.¹  According to the research findings, there is a clear gender bias to these results with 61% of males versus 39% of females reportedly being overweight.¹ County Tipperary was found to be the most overweight county with approximately 58% of respondents reporting to be overweight while County Kerry reported the lowest figures with 41% being overweight.

The research also highlighted that on average 24% of the adult population do no exercise at all.¹  In addition to having obvious weight management benefits the impact of exercise is far broader ranging.  It has been established that physical inactivity is a major contributing factor to heart disease and increases the risk of colon cancer further demonstrating the importance of regular exercise. ²  Heart disease is the number one killer in Ireland with approximately 10,000 people dying each year from cardiovascular disease, accounting for 36% of all deaths.²  

If you are overweight, it is the location of where your body stores the extra weight that can affect your risk of suffering from heart disease.  A healthy waist measurement for a woman is less than 80cms / 32inches and for a man is less than 94cms / 37 inches.  If your waist circumference is larger than this, you should consider a weight loss programme immediately.² 

Commenting on the results of the online health check Dr Stephen Murphy, GP and member of the Hibernian Aviva Health Medical Council said, “With almost half of the Irish adult population being overweight, these figures are extremely worrying.  While maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise is important for general health, it is in heart health where some of the biggest health gains can be realised.  Regular exercise in conjunction with a healthy diet from a young age will have a huge benefit to your health in later years and it is never too late to start a healthier approach to life.  I would urge you to complete the online health check available at www.hibernianavivahealth.ie or if you are concerned about your weight or heart health contact your GP.”

Hibernian Aviva Health is looking out for the health of its customers by offering the following advice:

• Take at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on five days a week.³
• Examples of moderate intensity exercise includes brisk walking, water aerobics, ballroom dancing, general gardening, brisk vacuum cleaning, tennis and cycling slower than 10 miles per hour.³
• Follow the food pyramid to eat a balanced healthy diet.  This includes six servings of breads and cereals, five portions of fruit and vegetables, three servings of dairy products and two servings of meat, fish, poultry, eggs or pulses.⁴
• Use 1oz of low fat spread each day.  Use oils sparingly.⁴
• Avoid high fat snacks or limit them to small amounts on an infrequent basis.⁴
• Alcohol should be used in moderation and preferably during meal times.  Have some alcohol free days.⁴
  

The health insurance division of Ireland’s largest multi-line insurance company, Hibernian Aviva, recently launched new health insurance plans looking out for consumers needs with better benefits compared to any other insurer for core health requirements such as heart and cancer care.  In addition, Hibernian Aviva Health offers policyholders access to more hospitals, scan and treatment centres.

For further information on Hibernian Aviva Health plans, visit www.hibernianavivahealth.ie or contact the call centre on 1850 71 66 66.

1)  Hibernian Aviva Health online health checkresearch results.
2)  http://www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/physical-activity-t-73.html
3)  Get Ireland Active.  Fact sheet for Adults.  http://www.getirelandactive.ie/pdfs/GIA_FS_AD.pdf
4)  Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute. http://indi.ie/index.php?page=32

For further information:

Fleishman-Hillard:
Amy Pilgrim, 01 6188 461 / 087 261 3300 amy.pilgrim@fleishmaneurope.com

Hibernian Aviva
Alan Tyrrell, Hibernian Aviva, 01 898 5452 / 086 850 8673

Overweight Ireland – League Table
These statistics were collected via an online survey available at www.hibernianavivahealth.ie.  The information is ‘self-reported’ by users of the website and analysed by using the body mass index scoring.

About Hibernian Aviva Health Insurance Plans

All Hibernian Aviva Health plans include:
· Access to 151 treatment centres and hospitals
· Access to the widest range of approved treatment centres for out-patient PET, CT, MRI and CT scans. (47 Hibernian Aviva Health, 24 VHI, 20 Quinn)
· Access to high-tech hospitals (for cardiac care)
· Cover for cervical cancer vaccination

The new Hibernian Aviva Health policies deliver:

• Better benefits: including cancer care and cardiac procedures in a high-tech hospital including cover for innovative healthcare products such as the cervical cancer vaccination.  Hibernian Aviva Health also offers the best maternity benefits when compared to competitors.
• More access: 151 hospitals and treatment centres so policyholders can receive treatment nearer to home and family.  Hibernian Aviva Health covers MRI scans in centres in Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Kildare, Mayo, Offaly, Tipperary, Galway and Waterford where some other health insurers don’t. 
• Better value: Hibernian Aviva Health offer savings of up to €415 for a family* when compared with the Vhi’s Plan B Options - Parents and Kids.  In addition, the Everyday plan only has a €1 excess fee for outpatient benefits such as GP visits meaning you can benefit financially from the policy straight away.
• Faster access: even the most basic Hibernian Aviva Health plan offers access to those essential day case procedures that can otherwise leave you waiting in the public health system for treatment.

About Hibernian Aviva Health

Hibernian Aviva Health is a division of Hibernian Aviva, Hibernian Aviva Group is Ireland’s leading multi-line insurance company with 1.2 million customers across the general insurance, life and pensions and health insurance sectors.  The company is ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions and health insurance.

Hibernian Aviva Group is a subsidiary of Aviva plc.  Aviva is one of the world’s largest savings, general insurance and investment groups with the purpose of looking out for customers, employees and stakeholders with prosperity and peace of mind.

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