FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy White
The Natural Marketing Institute
215.513.7300 ext. 225
Nancy.White@NMIsolutions.com

Study Finds An Interconnection Between Internal And External Health & Wellness

Harleysville, Pa. (April 25, 2003) -- Based on a recent survey of 1,028 Americans, conducted in March 2003 by The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), 69% of U.S. consumers states, "...due to the state of the economy/current events, personal health and wellness is more important than it used to be," up from 60% in October 2002.  This observation may identify a shifting consumer paradigm on the correlation between the state of "external" affairs and the respective state of "internal" affairs.

Does personal health and the health and wellness of one's family become more relevant and important in an environment that shows relative instability>  Does this consumer's health mentality become internalized and more important as a means to control something, when other activities are out of their control?  Furthermore, health and wellness is less important among younger American (under 35 years) and higher among older Americans (age 55-plus).

American are also more apprehensive today, with 36% of all U.S. consumers stating they are "more stressed and anxious than they used to be."  Demographically, middle-aged consumers are the most stressed of any group, with 41% stating such.  Geographically, Americans in the Northeast U.S. are much more likely to be stressed (56%) than those in the Pacific States (28%).  As so, relaxation products, including everything from alternative therapies, dietary supplements, and self-help books to exercise and leisure time -- even prescription medications -- become more relevant and important.

"During time of uncertainty, consumers look to health and wellness as a means to internalize specific need states," says Steve French, NMI managing partner.  "The dimensionality of specific products and services presents significant opportunities for the assimilation of these products into consumer lifestyles, in part creating specific consumer pathways and category entry vehicles," states French.

NMI is a strategic consulting, market research, and business development company specializing in the health and wellness marketplace. For more information, contact Steve French, managing partner at 215-513-7300 ext 214, email Steve@NMIsolutions.com or visit www.NMIsolutions.com.

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