The Herbalife Nutrition Asia Pacific Healthy Aging Survey 2020 revealed that 8 in 10 Filipinos are already taking steps to age healthily. Among the consumers who took part in the survey conducted by premiere global health nutrition company Herbalife Nutrition, 75% said they are taking vitamins and minerals; 28% are taking antioxidants; and 27% are taking calcium to help boost their immune system.
The survey was done in May 2020 with 5,500 respondents in 11 markets – Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam – to look at consumers’ aging-related concerns, shed light into aging-related fears, confidence levels, and actions among the Generation Z (18 to 23 years), Millennial (24 to 39 years), Generation X (40 to 55 years) and Boomers+ (55 years +) consumers.
The results of the survey were cited by Dr. Nataniel Viniusky, a member of the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board based in Brazil, during the most recent Herbalife Nutrition Virtual Wellness Tour conducted by Herbalife Nutrition Philippines.
Dr. Viniusky emphasized that the earlier one starts one’s healthy aging journey, the better.
“The key to kick-starting this journey is through good nutrition, physical and brain exercise, and a healthy social life,” he advised.
Dr. Viniusky holds a degree in Medicine with specialization in Nutrition and Pediatrics, and is a scientific consultant of the Catholic University of Brasilia; coordinator of the Postgraduate Specialization Course on Obesity of the CBES Department – San Pablo; and chief doctor of the Nutrition Service of the Unimed Hospital – Caxias do Sul. He has done activities in the areas of Clinical Nutrition and Weight Management, and is also the former National Coordinator of the Healthy School Programme.
According to the consumers who took part in the Herbalife Nutrition Asia Pacific Healthy Aging Survey, healthy aging is about being mentally active and sharp (61%); being physically active (57%); not suffering from illness (56%); living a free and independent life (52%); and not being a burden to their family (51%).
“When we talk about healthy aging, we talk about aging with autonomy – taking care of your life and making your own decisions, growing older and deciding where you want to go, what you want to eat,” Dr. Viniusky said. “In aging with autonomy, only 30% of the factor has to do with genetics, 70% has to do with your lifestyle – the way you eat, the way you exercise your body and your brain, the way you handle your body composition, the supplements you take, and your social life.”
Citing research by the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs, Dr. Viniusky said that by the year 2050, the aging population would have reached 2.1 billion.
“And Asia is aging faster than the rest of the world,” he pointed out.
Most Asia Pacific markets already see aging as a key concern (57%), according to the Herbalife Nutrition Asia Pacific Healthy Aging Survey. Concern levels are the highest among consumers in Vietnam and the lowest among consumers in Australia.
In the Philippines, 6 in 10 (56%) consumers have expressed concern about aging and only 4 in 10 (43%) are confident with their ability to age healthily.
