Herbalife Survey Results: Sedentary Lifestyle Risks

Herbalife’s Nutrition At Work Survey Reveals 

Majority of Philippines’ Workforce 

Lead Largely Sedentary Lifestyles

Putting them at Risk of Obesity

Herbalife Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour seeks to address health issues associated with sedentary lifestyles, and deepen practical understanding on the benefits of a healthy, active life.

PHILIPPINES, April 25, 2016 – Herbalife, a global nutrition company, has released the findings of the new Nutrition At Work Survey, which revealed that the majority of Philippines’ workforce leads largely sedentary lifestyles, putting them at risk of obesity. The Survey1, which was designed to understand the lifestyle habits and attitudes of Asia Pacific’s modern workforce, was conducted in March with 5,500 full-time workers in 11 Asia-Pacific markets, including 500 workers from the Philippines. 

According to the survey findings, almost nine out of 10 (85%)workers in the Philippines spend at least six hours a day sitting at their desk, with 52% of its workforce eating lunch at their work desk two to five times per week. The survey also revealed that majority of Philippines’ workforce (86%) exercise less than three times per week, with five out of 10 getting less than 30 minutes of physical activity a day at their workplace. This suggests a significantly worrying trend locally, on the back of rising obesity rates recorded in recent years. 

Nevertheless, the risk of obesity could be averted if workers in the Philippines decide to take control over their own nutritional intake and exercise regimen. Close to eight out of 10 workers(75%) affirmed that they strive to live a healthy, active life, however, the majority of them noted that they find it difficult to stay active during workdays. 

 “With a majority of Philippines’ workforce leading largely sedentary lifestyles, our mission as a global nutrition company is to help people in the Philippines take practical steps towards leading healthy, active lives.By inculcating positive nutrition and active lifestyle habits to people in the Philippines,we hope that this will, over time,help reduce obesity risks and lead to positive improvements to the well-being of our people,”said Mr. Rosalio Valenzuela, General Manager of Herbalife Philippines. 

Aimed at addressing health issues associated with sedentary lifestyles, and deepening practical understanding on the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles, Herbalife launched its fifth Asia Pacific Wellness Tour 2016, held in the months of April and May. The latest edition of the Wellness Tour builds upon the successes of the past four tours that welcomed more than 80,000 participants across the region, and features a host of medical symposiums, talks and workshops led by seven experts from Herbalife’s Nutrition Advisory Board (NAB), covering 26 cities across Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Gary Small, M.D. has recently visited the country and shared his expert views on digital dementia and brain aging at the “A Smart Way to Healthy Aging: A Talk by Gary Small, M.D.” event.Dr. Small, a specialist in brain health and aging, has authored over 500 scientific works and received numerous awards and honors, including the "Senior Investigator Award" from the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. During the talk Dr. Small addressed health and nutrition related issues associated with sedentary lifestyles and share practical tips on how today’s workforce can live healthier lives by making simple changes to their daily lifestyles. Health and medical professionals, academics, as well as the general public have also engaged in lively dialogues with Dr. Smallat the event, and had the chance to network with like-minded professionals through the Herbalife Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour platform. 

 

Rounding up the team of Herbalife NAB experts who have participated in the Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour are: • Dr. David Heber, chairman of the Herbalife Nutrition Institute and Nutrition Advisory Board. A leading expert in the field of nutrition,named as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” by Thomson Reuters in 2014 and repeatedly included in “The Best Doctors in America”. • Dr. Chin-Kun Wang, an expert in metabolism and nutrition, with a focus on the clinical evaluation of nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, functional foods and herbs.He was awarded the National Award of Biomedicine in Taiwan in 2008 for his contribution to medical education. • Dr. Julian Alvarez Garcia, a specialist in sports medicine and sports physiology who has advised professional teams, national teams and individual athletes on a range of disciplines including weightlifting, triathlons, mountain biking, football and basketball. • Dr. Darren Burgess, an expert in sports science and nutrition who has authored papers in multiple peer review journals. He is also the current Head of High Performance at Port Adelaide Football (AFL) Club, and the former Head of Fitness and Conditioning at Liverpool Football Club. • Dr.NatanielViuniski, an expert in pediatrics and nutrition who has authored “Childhood Obesity – A Practical Guide”. He is also currently an advisor to Brazil's Health and Education Ministry for Childhood Obesity. • Dr. Francis Gregory Samonte, one of the Philippines’ premier experts in pediatric neurology, and the first Filipino appointed to the NAB. He was a recipient of the Chairman’s Achievement Award from the University of Louisville, Kentucky’s Department of Pediatrics. The NAB experts were also joined by Dr. Luigi Gratton, Herbalife’s vice president of nutrition education and development, who has written numerous articles on nutrition and obesity, and has appeared on television speaking on nutrition, anti-aging medicine, sports nutrition and other medical topics. 

“With each new edition of the Wellness Tour, we are seeing an increasing number of people gain practical knowledge to leadbetter lives. We hope that that this year’s Tour will further empower people to take charge of their nutritional intake and exercise regimen, so that they can enjoy the full benefits of a healthy, active life,” Mr. Valenzuela concluded. 

Herbalife’s Nutrition At Work Survey was conducted in March 2016, with 5,500 respondents aged 18 and above, from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Herbalife Health Poll Results: 9 out of 10

The Herbalife Health Poll results showed that 9 in 10 Filipinos are 'highly concerned' about the potential diseases that may come about due from an unhealthy lifestyle.

In these poll results, the top three aging-related health concerns in the Philippines are for the heart, brain, and eyes.

The same Herbalife Health Poll results showed that the same number believes that simple lifestyle changes can help improve their overall well-being while 79% expressed a willingness to exercise more regularly and 72% stated that they would make better nutrition choices.


According to this Herbalife Health Poll, the top obstacles to achieving a healthy lifestyle:

- 75% responded that they lack of time for exercise
- 64% responded that they lack of time to make proper nutrition choices
 - 62% responded that it was due to the high cost of healthy food

Herbalife conducted the survey in September 2015 in the lead-up to its Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour. It surveyed 1,200 respondents across six countries, including the Philippines, on perceptions towards their health and current lifestyle. Respondents from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand were likewise included in the survey.

Herbalife Philippines

Survey Results Show Better Knowledge and Understanding

“We welcome the results of the survey. It gives an understanding of Filipinos becoming even more health conscious and self-aware that they need to make some lifestyle changes to improve their overall well-being. It also gives Herbalife an idea where we are needed, because as the survey revealed only four out of 10 would spend 10 to 30 minutes a day to make simple lifestyle changes,” said Rosalio Valenzuela, Herbalife Philippines General Manager.

“The findings from the Herbalife survey clearly show that the majority of people in Asia Pacific that we questioned believe in the value of good nutrition and exercise as contributing to their overall well-being. We aim to play a greater role in providing practical tips and information to people to help them understand that the journey to a healthier, more active lifestyle is not difficult to achieve. With as little as 10 minutes a day, consumers can take positive steps to improve their nutrition and be more active, which will improve their overall well-being,” said William M. Rahn, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Herbalife Asia Pacific.

Herbalife Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour 

Now on its fourth year, the Herbalife Asia-Pacific Wellness Tour aims to deepen people’s practical understanding of the various aspects of living a healthy active lifestyle. Its previous tours in the past 3 years saw close to 60,000 participants across the region. This year’s Wellness Tour will feature five members of the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board (NAB) visiting 14 markets and 21 cities across the Asia-Pacific in the month of October. They will share their expert views on how people can make use of the little time they have to make simple lifestyle changes that will enhance their well-being. Herbalife’s NAB experts will likewise share their views on a wide range of health-related topics, including weight management, brain health and aging; heart health; immunology; and skin care at the medical symposia being held in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Herbalife NAB experts participating in this year’s Wellness Tour include Dr. David Heber, who incidentally will be coming to Manila, is a leading expert in the field of nutrition and named as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” by Thomson Reuters in 2014 and considered one of “The Best Doctors in America”; Dr. Lou Ignarro, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1998 for his discovery of nitric oxide’s health benefits; Dr. Gary Small, a specialist in brain health and aging who has authored over 500 scientific works and has received numerous awards and honors, including the “Senior Investigator Award” from the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry; Dr. Marion Fltechner-Mors, a health nutrition specialist who is currently heading the nutrition and obesity research group at Ulm University, Germany; and Dr. Wang Jae Lee, a physician and academic specializing in immunology and a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine. Dr. Heber, who is the founding Director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles, will be conducting a symposium for free to Filipino medical practitioners on October 23, 9am, at the Manila Hotel. The symposium will gather a group of 100 doctors, nurses, physical therapists and medical practitioners. The title of the symposium is “Obesity: More Than Just Being Overweight and Nutrition Forecast for 2020.” Seminars of Dr. Heber are recognized by US hospitals as part of Continuing Education Studies, which are often required of applicants. The following day, Oct. 24, Dr. Heber will be holding seminars for thousands of Herbalife Independent Members in the same hotel. This is the first time Dr. Heber, who is also the Chairman of the NAB and the Herbalife Nutrition Institute, to conduct a seminar in Manila since the company was founded in the Philippines 22 years ago.

Herbalife is a 35-year-old global nutrition company that sells weight-management, nutrition and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold in more than 90 countries to and through a network of independent members. This company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children. To learn more visit Herbalife.com. #HerbalifeHealthPoll #BetterKnowledge #HealthWithHerbalife

My Food and Beverage Anxiety Triggers

I can eat a lot though it doesn't show that much. I can also drink a lot. I love eating and drinking yet often have to say no to many of my favorite things. 

When asked by a friend what triggers my anxiety, I knew the answer. What mostly triggers my anxiety (aside from negaTrons around me) are certain food and beverages and/or lack of it. 

As alcoholic drinks suppresses the suppressant, as my late husband used to say, controlling one's emotions, or shall we say, libido, while drinking is possible, especially if you aren't interested. Downing too much results in a hangover the next day. Drinking too often does bring up the tolerance level. Yet, in my personal opinion, drinking does not cause my anxiety, it is other triggers that bring it on. 

Water is vital for health. Other beverages like juice, especially the non-sugary kind, does help. Then we have our other favorite beverages like coffee and tea with the guidelines of limiting the intake of coffee to 3 cups a day, and for tea, I don't know and maybe drinking endless cups of Japanese green tea is good for the health but of course, all things should be taken in moderation. Milk is another thing to drink and it's not just for babies. Most of us know how much water we should drink in a day and a while back, I had advised a friend to drink at least 8 glass of water a day and it was surprising how it became a positive thing as he did not only take it upon himself to do so but encouraged others to do so also. I don't really like saying things and giving out advice as we all know that we should drink water, choose healthy juices, regulate our caffeine intake, lessen or completely eliminate drinking soda, have a calcium intake, and though I have a high intake of water as I nearly always have a glass of ice water on hand, and admittedly, take a sugar-free energy drink that I so totally love because of the 1,000 mg of taurine that it contains, making me feel that my brain is "limitless" like the movie, lately I have been careful to giving out advise as hey, people should already know what they are doing wrong and since I am not that perfect (ehem) I hesitate, though I do know that coffee does give me anxiety, especially if the cup is not a good brew and ultra strong. 

With the coming back home of one of my daughters, Maxi, who is into healthy food and with my youngest child, Almond, being that way too, the food that is being cooked and served at home is leveling up in inventiveness. I made lemon pepper chicken with instant noodles and green beans, Maxi made tofu spaghetti with carrots and green beans, and Almond made marsala chicken with vegetables. Today, I made boiled ground beef with cabbage, simmered with onion leeks and peppercorns. 

Spaghetti with tofu and veggies

Mushroom moringa milky pasta 

 My main problem is that I only eat when I am hungry, though I try to change that by making sure I eat at a certain time, and today, I did indulge in junk food which is a filler and the munching makes me feel better, as it is what my Dad used to call, "nervous eating" when he would eat nuts and his other favorite snacks. 

Having stepped out often since April, again, I noted that healthy food and beverage choices are not easy to make with the number of restaurants, especially fast food places, that serve such good (and mostly fried) food. I haven't cooked fried chicken that often since Dad passed away, as I hardly stock up on oil, so when out, the allure of those fast food places is strong. And, having this thing that my kids call my "potato fix", I do have to eat French fries, mashed potatoes, and the occasional hash brown. To find good vegetable dishes while eating out isn't that easy, though the small stalls have these, the options are to eat Chinese, Korean, and Filipino food, and opting to have a salad or a rich tomato soup in other places. Comparing iced teas, some are too sweet, while others are just right, and though there are natural juices, the sweeteners should be considered. 

Then the sweet stuff that most of us crave for. That sugar high doesn't last that long and it does trigger my anxiety, making me crash after, and that was when I just had to drink Coke with every meal. I was able to get rid of drinking Coke and no longer buy it for the house unless there is a special occasion. Ice cream is one of my favorite things and during this year's summer, I had ice cream nearly every day. 

Going on a diet is an every day decision and it's not easy. For me, it is a combination of drinking a lot of ice water, limiting sweets and not buying these, choosing the fruit option, eating vegetables as often as possible, taking small and frequent meals, not buying junk food regularly, limiting my coffee intake to a cup a few times a week, detoxing regularly, walking, standing after eating and choosing to stand instead of sit, and other things done for a healthier lifestyle. I try not to preach though as I do have my failings and it is my personal decision to avoid food and beverages that bring about my anxiety attacks, and though I am sometimes weak and give into those delectable temptations, it becomes an indulgence instead of a constant thing. 

As I was planning what to cook for dinner today, my thoughts drifted and I ended up making a questionnaire:

How often have you said you will diet?
How many glasses of water do you drink?
How many servings of fruits and vegetable do you have in a week?
How many fried dishes and sweet treats do you have weekly?
What are your beverages of choice?
Do you eat a lot of junk food?

This list of questions can go on and on, and I may provide advice but then, as most people know what is right and what is wrong when it comes to food intake, then no matter what I say, it is a personal decision to make the changes and it is a good idea to start making the changes, today.