More than two-thirds of Americans surveyed who work out said walking has been their preferred exercise option amid COVID-19, while 1-in-5 five said the pandemic has encouraged them to improve their eating habits, according to a new nationwide survey from UnitedHealthcare.

These are some of the findings from the 2020 UnitedHealthcare Wellness Checkup Survey, which examines people’s opinions about health topics and preferences, providing insights to help improve wellbeing and disease-management programs offered by employers. Key findings include:

  • Most survey respondents who work out said walking (68 percent) has been their preferred method of exercise since COVID-19 emerged, followed by running (28 percent), body-weight exercises (23 percent), cycling (21 percent), and at-home weight training (18 percent). More than three-quarters (77 percent) of baby boomers preferred walking over other forms of exercise as did 72 percent of Generation X.
  • As for eating habits, 30 percent of survey respondents said their diet is worse now than before COVID-19 impacting daily life, while 21 percent said their nutrition choices have improved.
  • 30 percent of respondents said they are now more likely to receive the annual flu shot this fall.
  • In regard to common workplace norms, one-third (34 percent) of employed respondents said they would stop shaking hands at work no matter the circumstance, 35 percent would use an alternative physical greeting such as a fist or elbow bump, and 31 percent said they would continue handshakes despite potential risks of COVID-19 infection. Baby boomers were the most likely to give up handshakes (45 percent), followed by Gen X (33 percent).
  • More than three-quarters (77 percent) of respondents who are employed and have access to wellness programs said the initiatives have made a positive impact on their health. Nearly half (48 percent) said the programs motivated them to pay more attention to their health, 38 percent said they helped lower stress, 36 percent said they increased physical activity, and 33 percent reported improved sleep.
  • According to the survey, wellness programs helped 17 percent of respondents manage a chronic condition, while 17 percent said the health initiatives helped detect a disease or medical issue.

As for job performance among those who said the wellness programs made a positive impact on their health, 54 percent of employees said the initiatives helped reduce stress, 51 percent said they improved productivity and 31 percent said they took fewer sick days. Among employees without access to wellness programs, 71 percent of respondents said they would be interested in initiatives if offered.

“Now is an opportune time for Americans to make an investment in their health with employers in a crucial role to foster healthy habits among employees in the workplace and while working at home,” said Rebecca Madsen, UnitedHealthcare chief consumer officer. “The UnitedHealthcare Wellness Checkup Survey highlights the importance of implementing robust well-being programs that may foster whole-person health, reduce absenteeism and curb care costs.”

Download the full survey here.