Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition, recently released their findings from the 2020 Diet Decisions Survey. It revealed that Filipino consumers are eating healthier and making better lifestyle choices. This is a revolutionary move in the health sector ever since the pandemic happened. Read more on how Filipinos are choosing to be healthy.
Eating Healthier and Making Better Lifestyle Choices
Among those included in the poll, 53% said they have started eating more fruits and vegetables in their diet. Moreover, 43% ate more plant-based food.
It was also revealed that among the 11 Asia Pacific markets surveyed, the
Philippines ranked highest (62%) in the people’s openness to plant-based food or meatless options.
The survey polled 8,000 consumers in eight Asia Pacific markets, including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It also shed light on the motivations behind the consumers’ recent dietary and lifestyle changes.
The company hopes that with the release of this study, many more people will be inspired to adopt eating healthier and lifestyle habits to improve their overall health.
Mindfulness About Health
Dr. Rocio Medina, Vice Chairwoman and Member, Nutrition Advisory Board, Herbalife Nutrition, discussed the effects of this mindfulness among Filipinos.
“These results are a good sign that Filipinos are becoming more mindful about their personal health. Making healthier food choices and becoming more open to plant-based and meatless options and staying physically active — these are great ways to start combating obesity, which has been rising worldwide,” she said.
Dr. Medina talked about “Reversing Obesity Among Filipinos” during the Virtual Wellness Tour of Herbalife Nutrition Philippines. The monthly event is part of Herbalife Nutrition’s continuing commitment to raise public awareness on balanced nutrition and having a healthy lifestyle.
Obesity as a Chronic Disease
“Obesity is recognized by leading health organizations, including the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization (WHO), as a chronic disease.”
Dr. Medina points out that obesity is associated with decreased life
expectancy and co-morbidities. Moreover, it requires a long and comprehensive management approach to help people.
The doctor addedthat the WHO has even declared obesity as the largest global health pandemic in adults and is becoming a more serious problem than malnutrition.
One of three adults in the Philippines is obese and this trend has been increasing over time, Dr. Medina said. She also added that a high prevalence of young adult obesity occurs across the country, with most obese young adults to be found in Luzon.*
Source: Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI)
Reversing Obesity
According to Dr. Medina, there are four factors that can help improve body composition:
- 1. Increasing one’s intake of high-value plant protein. Some examples would be isolated soy protein, egg white, beef protein, fish, poultry, and whey.
- 2. Decreasing one’s consumption of simple carbohydrates such as white bread, white sugar, and white rice.
- 3. Increasing one’s physical activity like doing strength training 2 to 3 times a week and resistance training for 3 to 4 times a week.
- 4. Cut down on added sugars.
“Choosing a healthy eating pattern low in added sugars can have important health benefits,” Dr. Medina said.
Top Motivators for Eating Healthier
According to the 2020 Diet Decisions Survey, 58% of the Filipino respondents have made a major change to their diet during the pandemic. Meanwhile, 89% agreed that they had a specific moment during the pandemic when they realized they needed to change their diet.
Among their top motivators include:
- Their health (82%)
- Weight loss (51%)
- Budget because it more cost-effective (27%)
Beyond making changes to their diet, 56% also started to exercise more, with consumers in Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia leading the way.
Filipino Will Emerge Healthier from the Pandemic
According to the survey findings, 77% of the Filipino respondents believe that they would emerge from the pandemic healthier than they were before. And 88% claimed they already noticed a positive difference in their health since they changed their diet.
Majority (83%) said they plan to keep the dietary changes that they made for a prolonged period of time.
How to Maintain the Healthy Eating Plan
To help maintain their new diets in the new normal, Filipino consumers said having the following could help:
- Easy-to-follow meal plans (62%)
- Convenient alternatives that don’t take long to make (45%)
- A health and wellness coach (40%)
When it comes to meal plans, Dr. Medina said that a reduced-calorie meal plan should be individualized. It should be selected to reflect the person’s personal and cultural preferences.
She likewise added that behavior coaching can also make a difference in improving one’s habits. “For many people, targeted behavior coaching can make a difference,” Dr. Medina said. This entails a lifestyle intervention that will change their habits.
In conclusion, Dr. Medina underlined the importance of nutrition education. “Being educated in an area helps people think, feel, and behave in a way that contributes to their success. It improves not only their personal satisfaction but also their community,” she said.
About Herbalife Nutrition
Herbalife Nutrition is a global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world healthier and happier. The company has been on a mission to change people’s lives with quality nutrition products and programs since 1980.
They offer high-quality, science-backed nutritional products, one-on-one coaching, and a supportive community that inspires people to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Herbalife Nutrition promotes targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness, and personal care products are available through its Independent Members. They are now available in more than 90 countries worldwide.
To learn more, visit IAmHerbalife.com.
Dahil sa panahon ngayon lalo na nang iingat mga tao especially sa health. Marami na ang aware pagdating sa kalusugan.
We should take care ourselves po talaga. Balanced diet and regular exercise can cure obesity. Dahil sa Pandemic po talaga Naging aware Ang mga Tao sa kanilang good intake. Even me, since may high blood pressure po ako. Ang hirap na magkasakit tas dapuan pa Ng virus. Kasi covid Ang nakakapag pa trigger sa mga sakit like hypertensive, diabetes etc.
Another reason din ay ung wala Ng pera. Walang pambiling pagkain. Walang sweldo Kasi na stop or nawalan Ng trabaho / hanapbuhay. We’re still lucky Kasi despite what’s happening to our country and the world we are still here. Standing, fighting and always praying. We are Filipinos and we are strong. We can do this. Just always pray. God is always listening like he did when my kids are always praying and asking mercy nung nagka Covid po ang asawa ko🙏🙏
Health is wealth ♥️♥️♥️
. sa panahon po kase naten ngayon kailangan talaga naten maging healthy dahil mahirap po magkasaket lalo na ang mga bata .
kailangan talaga ng masusustasyang pagkain para lumakas ang ating resistensya . 💜💜
In this time of pandemic we really need more safety and healthier talaga mommy.. Napakahirap.maospital daming protocols.. Kaya ako I make sure na healthy and balanced and food na kinakain namin at the same time exercise and more activities…
Kelangan natin tlaga maging healthy and dapat watch out Tayo lagi sa mga food na ating kinakain para may panlaban Tayo sa anumang sakit Lalo na sa pandemyang kinakaharap.
Sa panahon talaga ngayon kailangan healthy at mayroon po tayong magandang pangangatawan lalo na po na nasa kalagitnaan tayo ng laban sa Covid 19. Kailangan talaga kumain ng masusustansyang pagkain.
That’s great news! Health is wealth kaya importante talaga ang pagpapahalaga sa ating kalusugan lalo na sa panahon ngayon. Yes to healthier lifestyle. Kumain ng masustansyang pagkain.