Five Behaviors to Support Overall Wellbeing
Five Behaviors to Support Overall Wellbeing
Susan Bowerman
M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Sr. Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training
A new study shows that if Americans practice five beneficial daily health behaviors, they have the potential to support their wellness.
A recently published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, based on 30 years of data, outlines a five-point prevention plan and the five health-related behaviors:
- Not smoking
- Getting plenty of exercise
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy body weight and healthy body composition
- Sleeping seven or more hours per day
Researchers from the CDC reported that only 6.3% of U.S. adults say they’ve adopted these five healthy habits. Of nearly 400,000 adults surveyed, 81.6% were current non-smokers, only half got the recommended amount of exercise, and roughly 37% reported unhealthy amounts of sleep and alcohol consumption.
Significantly, only a third of respondents to the CDC researchers reported a normal weight. Indeed, people’s weight is trending in the wrong direction around the world. According to a recent report released by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, in which global statistics were compiled from 19 million people in 200 countries:
- For the first time in history, there are more overweight or obese than underweight people worldwide.
- The number of overweight or obese individuals has increased from 105 million to 641 million in the last 40 years.
- Between 1974 and 2014, the average global BMI shifted from 21.7 to 24.2 in men and from 22.1 to 24.4 in women.
Promoting balanced nutrition and a healthy active lifestyle
The benefits of prevention and adherence to the five health-related behaviors are well documented, but too many people, especially in underserved communities, are falling short. This is why a new approach and new strategies are needed to promote and reinforce these health-related behaviors.
Herbalife supports the healthy lifestyle guidelines issued in the CDC report. Our global nutrition philosophy is based on balanced nutrition and leading a healthy, active life. The balanced nutrition comes from making the right food choices. A healthy, active life includes getting plenty of daily activity, regular exercise to support fitness. And the philosophy also calls for monitoring caloric intake to maintain healthy body weight, get adequate hydration and get plenty of sleep.
This global nutrition philosophy is very often put into practice at Herbalife Nutrition Clubs. A Nutrition Club is a place for people to practice and reinforce some of the positive behaviors identified by the CDC. A club is also a setting where people can:
- Consume good nutrition.
- Receive healthy, active lifestyle tips in a positive setting.
- Get access to a motivating group environment, which has been shown to help people remain accountable to their goals.
- Strengthen social connections.
Now that the CDC has identified these five tips to support wellness, it will take the collective effort of everyone in society to put them into widespread practice.
Susan Bowerman
M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Sr. Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training
Susan Bowerman is the senior director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Dietetic Advisory Board (DAB). As a registered dietitian, she educates distributors about our global nutrition philosophy and is responsible for developing nutrition education and training materials. Bowerman earned a B.S. in Biology with distinction from the University of Colorado and an M.S. in Food Science and Nutrition from Colorado State University. She is a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and holds two board certifications as a specialist in Sports Dietetics and in Obesity and Weight Management. When she is not busy teaching and writing, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and gardening. Her favorite Herbalife products include Simply Probiotic and Herbalife Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix Banana Caramel.