Kraft Cheese reveals a first of its kind step index...site supervisors walk most, travel agents least

Armed with pedometers, these volunteers went about their usual professional lives, recording the total number of steps they took each day over a five day period. If 10,000 steps per day is the ideal goal, then the first-of-its-kind Kraft Active Step Index is your wake up call.

The challenge, which rolled out in conjunction with the launch of the new higher protein and lower fat Kraft Cream Cheese Spread Active, aims to get people from all walks of life, including teens and children, feeling a little "Hayawiya", Arabic for active. The answer, according to Kraft Cheese, is in walking.

"By simply being conscious of the number of steps we take each day as we go about our daily lives, we become aware of the innate desire within us to care for our well being. This is the promise behind the Kraft Active Walk Your Way to Better Health Challenge by Kraft Cheese, and the inspiration behind the step index,"

says Ahmed Yahya Marketing Director GCC, Kraft foods Middle East and Africa.

Research indicates that 10,000 steps per day is the ideal minimum. Equivalent to 30 minutes of physical activity and approximately 5 miles, it is the ideal amount of exertion the body requires to burn up to 400 calories per day. But are we anywhere close to measuring up? The Kraft Active Step Index has interesting revelations that may surprise you and get you consciously walking your way to better health.

The index revealed that between 9am to 5pm, working people take an approximate daily average of only 4,114 steps...less than half the recommended daily average of 10,000 steps. Of the 30 occupations studied, Site Supervisors ranked the highest, with an average of 8,528 steps in a day over five days. Next in line were wait staff and sales people who log an approximate daily average of 5,844 and 5,121 steps respectively. Travel Agents ranked the lowest, taking approximately 1,818 steps per day in a typical nine to five routine.

30 year old Homemaker and Kraft Active Step Index participant, Samreen Waseem, admits that the exercise has turned on light bulb in her conscience. "I was surprised at how few steps I actually recorded on the first day. By day five, I was consciously walking more just so that I could increase my step count to a healthier number".

"Families are today more aware of the need to care for their overall well being and vitality, and they are also increasingly savvy about the ways in which to enhance their wellness. As such we are optimistic that more and more people will join this innovative and motivating drive and challenge themselves into walking to better health," concluded Yahya.

The Kraft Active Walk Your Way to Better Health Challenge is brought to you by Kraft Cream Cheese Spread Active. The new product is an example of a new trend in wellness-oriented products that strive to offer consumers a healthier choice. With 20 percent more protein to help promote muscle growth and bone health, and 20 percent less fat to achieve a balanced diet, Kraft Cream Cheese Spread Active is ideal for whole families to enjoy.