Survey Finds Women More Likely to Exercise if It Feels Like Play, Not Work

ATLANTA, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey from the American Cancer Society finds women are 10 percent less likely than men to make time for physical activities they enjoy and that 40 percent of women said they would be more physically active in their free time if it felt less like work and more like play. As a result, the American Cancer Society Choose You movement is calling on women to help close this gap and to discover fun ways to get active with its 100,000 Acts of Play Challenge.

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The 100,000 Acts of Play Challenge calls on women to share their activity each time they get active in May at ChooseYou.com/Play. Each act of play will help the American Cancer Society spread the message about women's health and the importance of getting active through the Choose You movement.

In order to raise awareness of the ways women can play in May, Choose You will host a series of pop-up "play teams," hitting the streets of New York (May 1), Los Angeles (May 11) and Washington DC (May 22) to encourage spontaneous play and invite passersby to get active with nostalgic childhood toys, including the 80s famed Skip It, hula hoops, hoppity hop balls and double-dutch jump ropes.

"Being active is an essential element of maintaining a healthy weight and helping to reduce your cancer risk, but sometimes getting motivated to go to the gym is a lot easier said than done," says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD and director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society. "We all need a little inspiration sometimes to incorporate physical activity into our lives, and one of the easiest ways is by doing something that feels less like working out and more like fun."

Additional data from the American Cancer Society survey revealed that women who do make time for fun physical activity, do it to improve their body, mind and relationships. Sixty three percent of women say they engage in physical activity that they enjoy because it is good for their mind, while 75 percent say it is good for their physical fitness and 38 percent are out to spend more time with friends and family.

The American Cancer Society hopes that through the Choose You 100,000 Acts of Play Challenge, more women will become aware of the benefits of play and be inspired to get moving. "It is essential to find a way to bring the power of play and physical activity that you enjoy back to your day," says Doyle. "There are so many options - play tag with your kids, jump rope with a friend, or even hula-hoop at the office. The important thing is to keep moving and to have fun."

National presenting sponsors POWERADE ZERO (The Coca-Cola Company) and Quest Diagnostics will each provide support for the choose play initiative, ranging from onsite engagement at the events to general marketing support. Quest Diagnostics will also be providing up to 10,000 free vouchers for wellness and prevention screening at Choose You events around the country throughout the month of May. Choose You national presenting sponsors' efforts will help raise awareness among women about the importance making healthy lifestyle choices to stay well.

For more information or to join the Choose You movement, visit ChooseYou.com.

About the Choose You Play Survey

From March 28th to March 29th 2012 an online survey was conducted among 1,011 randomly selected American adults who are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error — which measures sampling variability — is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of the United States. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do.  As a result, nearly 12 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The Company's portfolio includes 14 billion dollar brands, including Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, as well as Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the com-munities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The Company, which had 2011 revenues of $7.5 billion, offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. The company's 42,000 employees believe so strongly in the important work of the American Cancer Society that they voted it their national charity through 2013, and have raised awareness and funds – more than $4 million – in support of the Society's mission. Additional company information is available at: www.QuestDiagnostics.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/QuestDiagnostics and Twitter.com/QuestDX.

SOURCE American Cancer Society