Zurich – Heart Foundation Heart Health Index

Zurich Financial Services Australia (Zurich), in association with the Heart Foundation, has launched the inaugural Zurich – Heart Foundation Heart Health Index.

The purpose of the Index is to compare the heart health behaviours of Australians with their perceptions of whether they meet recommended guidelines.

The initial findings show that a large proportion of Australians are overweight, do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, or are not sufficiently physically active, but that many people incorrectly believe they are following recommended guidelines.

The report suggests there is clearly a disconnect between reported behaviours and perceptions of meeting the guidelines, as the following findings indicate:

• While 32 per cent of the survey population are overweight and 18 per cent obese, 51 per cent of those overweight people think they meet the health guidelines for weight.
• Sixty per cent are not getting enough physical activity, even though 43 per cent of these people think that they are meeting the guidelines.
• Ninety-one per cent are not eating enough vegetables, although 58 per cent of these people think they were meeting the guidelines.
• Forty-seven per cent do not eat enough fruit, but 31 per cent of these people believe they are meeting the guidelines.

In comparing the different pereptions held by males and females:

• Men (42 per cent) are more likely to be overweight than women (22 per cent).
• However, men (39 per cent) are more likely to be sufficiently active than women (32 per cent).
• More women report eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables daily, compared to men.

Commenting on this initiative, Zurich’s CEO, David Smith, said that as a life insurer, Zurich is a regular witness to cardiovascular disease, whose impact affects not only those who suffer from the disease, but their loved ones, both emotionally and financially.

Mr Smith added, “Zurich believes it should go further than just pay up on life risk policies. We believe we should help the community understand the risks of cardiovascular disease. Consequently, Zurich and the Heart Foundation agreed earlier this year to work together to promote positive messages to Zurich’s customers, adviser network and the general public about improving heart health.