For a Healthy 2016: Make Little Changes and Pass It On

FOLSOM, Calif., Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that New Year's resolutions are hard to keep – just ask the 92 percent of resolution-setters failing to see them through each year. You may be more likely to succeed by teaming up with a friend or family member, a new survey by ORC International* on behalf of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council found. More than half of Americans (55 percent) believe that helping others succeed in their New Year's resolutions benefits their own commitment.

For the second year in a row, the Blueberry CouncilBlueberry Council and ORC International* polled Americans to discover easy ways to embrace healthy habits in the New Year. The first year revealed that four in five Americans found it easier to continue making little changes than drastic health-related resolutions. Based on 2015 findings, actress, author and fitness enthusiast Alison Sweeney and the Blueberry Council are ringing in the New Year with a motivational campaign, urging Americans to pass on the little changes and share their healthy habits with family and friends to increase the odds for success.

What's Good for You is Good for Me
ORC's research revealed that more than half of Americans (57 percent) would feel rewarded if they were to help their friends or family make little changes for a healthier lifestyle.

"It feels good to cheer on others on their journey to live a little healthier," said Sweeney. "The more we surround ourselves with positive energy, the more likely we are to continue the cycle of motivation to live a healthier lifestyle, passing it along to those around us."

The research suggested that in helping others, Americans help themselves. Poll respondents indicated that when they work with friends or family to accomplish healthy goals, they're:

• More likely to stay on track with their own goals (40 percent)
• More likely to continue setting small goals throughout the year (35 percent)
• More motivated to inspire others to make healthy little changes (25 percent)

Group Goals Help Us Stay Committed
Not only does aiding others in their New Year's resolutions help more than half of Americans commit to their own healthy goals (55 percent); the poll suggests that Americans who find partners and set group goals are more likely to stay on track than those working toward a New Year's resolution on their own.

Respondents indicated that the following would be most helpful in keeping them committed:

• Involving spouse or significant other (57 percent)
• Involving friends (52 percent)
• Involving children (42 percent)
• Involving coworkers (28 percent)
• Sharing on social media (19 percent)

Millennial Motivations
Significantly more than any other age group, nearly four out of five 18-24 year-olds (78 percent) indicated that involving their friends would fuel their commitment to New Year's resolutions. Additionally, three out of four (74 percent) indicated their spouse or significant other would have the same positive effect. 

"Whatever the reason, Millennials tend to be more motivated than other age groups by the actions of their peers when it comes to resolutions," said Sweeney. "All it takes is something small like setting out a bowl of fresh blueberries when friends come over, and all of a sudden your group of friends has a healthy snack tradition. This group has the power to affect such positive change simply by passing on their healthy habits to one another."

Pass It On: #OurLittleChanges
Sweeney and the Blueberry Council are encouraging Americans to join the growing Little Changes movement in 2016 by visiting littlebluedynamos.com/ourlittlechanges. While there,  

• Get inspiration for healthy little changes to make with friends and family, like eating more blueberries,
• Join the movement by sharing your favorite little changes with friends and family on social media by tagging them and using #ourlittlechanges, and
• Subscribe to monthly emails that serve as little changes reminders.

Visit www.littlebluedynamos.com for more details.

*Poll Methodology
This survey was conducted by ORC International among a sample of 1,019 adults comprising 508 men and 511 women 18 years of age and older. The online omnibus study is conducted twice a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. This survey was live on November 12-15, 2015. Completed interviews are weighted by five variables: age, sex, geographic region, race and education to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, 18 years of age and older. The raw data are weighted by a custom designed program which automatically develops a weighting factor for each respondent. Each respondent is assigned a single weight derived from the relationship between the actual proportion of the population based on US Census data with its specific combination of age, sex, geographic characteristics, race and education and the proportion in the sample. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys and polls. The data have been weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the 18+ population.

About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more about blueberries at www.littlebluedynamos.com or www.facebook.com/littlebluedynamos.

CONTACT:
Nikki Parrotte
(703) 894-5464
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151221/317686

SOURCE U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

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