Here is what our companies are doing to make treating your body like a temple more sustainable:
Healthier, happier lifestyles
Exercise has been associated with reduced levels of anxiety, decreased depression, enhanced mood, improved self-worth and body image, as well as improved cognitive functioning8
. Of
course more active lifestyles don’t necessarily have to involve daily strenuous exercise but instead could incorporate a broad range of low and moderate-intensity activities that add up throughout the day9
. This is the idea behind
Virgin HealthMiles, based in the US, and Virgin Life Care in South Africa. Both companies are developing innovative health programmes that empower individuals to take greater control of their health and fitness. The companies provide employee health programmes that pay people to get active . The programmes provide employees of participating organisations with a Pay-for-PreventionTM
approach which is based
on physical activity and healthy lifestyle changes . In the US, within organisations that have participated, it has attracted an average of 40% of employees. The scheme helps organisations reduce medical costs and improve employee productivity and satisfaction10
.
Employees enrolled in the programme use a pedometer to track daily activity which can then be uploaded, validated and tracked online . Progress is measured and incentivised. The programme is offered by employers, government bodies, insurers and other network partners, such as health clubs. Over 120 industry leaders representing more than 500,000 employees across the US have used the Virgin HealthMiles’ programme. In June 2009 Virgin HealthMiles announced a 313% increase in new members over 2008 and 2009. Virgin HealthMiles’ members are 2.5 times more active than the average US adult.
Virgin Life Care inspires and motivates members to reach health goals via a personalised journey that includes tracking, questionnaires, communication and various online wellness tools. It uses a network of HealthZones in Virgin Active clubs, clinics in pharmacies and Biokineticists in private practices around South Africa to allow members to track their progress by carrying out fitness assessments and taking health measurements including weight, body fat, BMI, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol . Members receive health reports and exercise and dietary plans throughout their journey.
VIRGIN HEALTHMILES Members 2.5 times more active than peers
HOURS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008), Virgin HealthMiles 2008-2009 Total members in sample = 101,273
93hours
AMERICAN ADULTS
HealthMiles member Betty taking a hike.
HEALTHMILES MEMBERS
Moderate-intensity aerobic activity means you’re working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break into sweat, e.g.
• Walking fast • Doing water aerobics
• Riding a bike on level ground or with a few hills
• Playing doubles tennis • Pushing a lawn mower
Members earn ‘HealthMiles’ by participating in the activities they like and by reaching key milestones in the programme. HealthMiles are then redeemed for cash, gift cards to national retailers, or donated to the member’s charity of choice.
HealthMiles’
members regularly measure key biometrics with HealthZone health measurement stations.
Virgin Life Care has:
• 90 HealthZones • 104 Clinics • 130 Biokineticists
8. The Way Forward for Physical Ac- tivity Biddle S., Fox K., Boutcher S. eds (as in no 7) pages 154-158
9. Virgin HealthMiles recommend moderate-intensity activities which are in line with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity recommenda- tions.
10. The programme’s Reward Levels reinforce the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended activity levels (www.cdc.gov)
Anne, a Virgin HealthMiles member, taking a walk during her Colorado honeymoon.
52
244 hours
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88