JUGGLING CAREERS AND CHILDREN TAKES TOLL ON WORKING PARENTS BY ADDING SEVEN YEARS TO THEIR REAL AGE

• Average working parent feels 11 years older than typical non-working parent
• Parenthood hitting the health of those with younger children the most

Juggling work and family life is certainly no mean feat, but it seems the stresses and strains are taking their toll on the health of millions of mums and dads, without many of them realising.

New research from PruHealth, the health insurer that rewards you for being healthy, has found today’s working parents on average feel seven years older than their actual age.  In contrast, non-working parents feel four years younger* than their real age, suggesting that the modern trend in working while bringing up children is taking its toll on the nation’s health and wellbeing.

While a recent study** found that children of working parents have unhealthier lifestyles than those with stay-at-home parents, PruHealth’s research suggests that working parents themselves are also less likely to follow a healthy lifestyle than non-working parents.

Trying to fit 101 things into a day means less than half (43 per cent) of working parents are eating a balanced diet, almost a fifth (18 per cent) never exercise, and over a quarter (28 per cent) sleep for less than six hours a night.  The top three reasons for lower energy levels were identified as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and not getting enough sleep.

Myth that children make you feel younger?

The research reveals that parenthood seems to be affecting the health of people with younger children the most.  Not only do parents with children under six years old have the lowest energy levels, but these parents also have the worst diets.  Under a third (27 per cent) of parents with children aged 0-6 years eat a balanced diet, compared with 47 per cent of all adults, and over half (53 per cent) struggle to eat their recommended five-a-day.

Quick-fix Dads vs Treat-myself Mums

When it comes to diet, working dads are most likely to opt for a quick-fix and regularly eat takeaways (16 per cent).  Almost half (48 per cent) of working fathers are also not reaching their recommended five fruit and vegetables a day.  Working mums manage a slightly more balanced diet, but a third (30 per cent) like to indulge their guilty-pleasures by way of ‘rewarding’ themselves with unhealthy food treats.

Shaun Matisonn, CEO, PruHealth, said: “Finding time to exercise and eat healthily can be difficult while you’re juggling a career and looking after a young family, but the health and energy levels of working parents clearly needs more attention.

“Incorporating small steps into your daily routine, such as walking the children to school, getting off the bus a stop early and snacking on fruit rather than crisps, can help make all the difference, while also setting a good example for your children.”

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The information contained in Prudential UK’s press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.  Full consumer product information can be found at www.pruhealth.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

*The research was carried out on behalf of PruHealth by Opinium Research LLP with an online poll of 2,004 British adults from Friday 14 to Tuesday 18 August 2009. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

Average actual age of a working parent is 46 years, but they have the energy levels of a 53 years old = 7 years older

**UK Millennium Cohort Study, September 2009

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About PruHealth

PruHealth was launched in October 2004 as a joint venture between Prudential and Discovery Holdings from South Africa.  Since launch, PruHealth has grown quickly.  It now covers over 210,000 lives and in a sample of its individual customers, one third said they had changed their behaviour for the better because of its Vitality reward scheme which encourages policyholders to look after their health.