Woman's Day / AOL Body Poll Reveals: Majority of Women Admit to Being Overweight...

Woman's Day / AOL Body Poll Reveals: Majority of Women Admit to Being
Overweight and Ashamed of their Bodies but would Choose a Big Payout Over a
Slim Waistline
Majority in Favor of Universal Healthcare

NEW YORK and DULLES, Va., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A majority (57%) of all
American women admit to being overweight, while 30% state they are
uncomfortable and ashamed of their bodies, according to a new poll from
Woman's Day magazine, http://www.womansday.com,and AOL Body,
http://body.aol.com. However, if given the option, 78% would rather get a
million dollar payout than have Jennifer Aniston's slim physique. The new
poll -- featured in the February issue of Woman's Day magazine hitting
newsstands today -- examines how American women feel about their mental and
physical health, as well as views concerns about the nation's health care
system.
Body Image and Breaking Bad Habits
According to the findings, only 8% of those polled admitted to exercising
on a regular basis, yet when asked what they most wish for, 37% stated to be
thinner, followed closely by wanting more energy (31%) and better physical
strength/stamina (26%). Surprisingly, only 6% stated to look younger. When
asked what bad habit they are unable to break, 31% stated stressing out,
topping not exercising (27%), eating junk food (25%) and smoking (17%).
Biggest Health Concerns
28% responded that cancer was their biggest health concern, while nearly
one in four (24%) responded depression followed by heart disease (21%),
diabetes (13%), Alzheimer's (11%) and fertility issues (3%). Forty-two percent
stated stress was the one thing that most negatively impacted their health
followed by sedentary lifestyle/not enough exercise (25%), poor diet/junk food
(23%) and poor sleep habits (10%).
Views on U.S. Health Care System
A majority (53%) stated they would forgo prescription medication if it
were too costly, with a stronger majority (83%) stating they would be in favor
of a universal healthcare system. Thirty-eight percent of those polled stated
that they do not feel comfortable discussing their sex lives with their
doctor, while one in four admitted that they have lied to their doctor about
their medical histories. Forty-two percent stated they have used/tried
alternative medicines or therapies.
*The Woman's Day / AOL Poll was conducted on AOL.com from November 01,
2007-December 15, 2007
About Woman's Day magazine:
Reaching 21 million readers, Woman's Day is a newsstand leader in the
women's service field selling an average of 1.4 million copies every three
weeks. Publishing 17 issues each year, the magazine covers topics common to
all women -- health, fashion, home decorating, food, family, fitness,
relationships, and entertainment.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most
popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and
services runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the U.S., and
provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of
Time Warner Inc. AOL LLC and its subsidiaries have operations in the U.S.,
Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.
SOURCE Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.

Jill Smithgall, for Woman's Day, +1-212-767-6062, jsmithgall@hfmus.com; or
Kurt Patat, +1-212-652-6323, kurt.patat@corp.aol.com, or Ricki Askin,
+1-917-606-4928, ricki.askin@corp.aol.com, both for AOL Body