NEW YORK, May 24, 1999 -- Almost half (45 percent) of American women cross their legs most or nearly all the time, even though 75 percent know that it is bad for circulation, according to a national survey released today to mark the Venastat Great American Cross-OutTM.
"Leg crossing has become second nature for many women, but they should just say 'No' to the behavior as a simple first step toward keeping their legs healthy," said Luis Navarro, M.D., director of the Vein Treatment Center and surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center, both in New York City.
The survey was sponsored by Venastat, a dietary supplement for leg health marketed by Pharmaton Natural Health Products. It was released for the second annual Venastat Great American Cross-Out, which calls for women to stop crossing their legs for a single day -- Wednesday, May 26 -- as part of Leg Health Awareness Week (May 23 - 29).
Leg crossing is a matter of routine rather than manners for women, 72 percent of whom say they do it out of habit, 69 percent because it is more comfortable and 44 percent because they were taught it is polite, the survey showed. Men, on the other hand, are creatures of comfort, with 72 percent saying they cross their legs because it is more comfortable, 57 percent out of habit and 13 percent because they were taught it is polite.
"Women need to realize how pervasive this habit is and that's why we are urging them to kick off to a healthier future by joining us in the Venastat Great American Cross-Out," said Suzanne Slattery, senior product manager for Venastat at Pharmaton Natural Health Products.
In honor of participants in this year's Cross-Out, the company is donating
$50,000 to Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW), a national organization whose
affiliates train low-income women for better-paid jobs that aren't traditionally
held by women, such as plumbing,
electrical wiring and carpentry. Training includes skills
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Contact: Barbara Goldberg
bgoldberg@cdbpr.com
212-367-6849
Creamer Dickson Basford
21-May-1999