Nutrition At Work Survey: 'Filipino Millennials Desire Healthy, Active Workplace Environment'

Healthy, active lifestyle is in. 

Goodbye couch potatos and hello to busy, always on-the-go generation! 

Herbalife Nutrition, a global nutrition company, has recently released the findings from its Asia Pacific Millennials At Work Survey:  Filipino millennials are adapting a healthy, active lifestyle. The survey was conducted in 2016, with 5,500 respondents aged 18 and above, from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

However, most of these young people believe that their current workplace environment prevents them from doing so.

Millennials, or people born in between 1980 and 2000, are opting for a workplace that will encourage them to stay active, if only this will be embedded in every company culture.  According to the survey, about 83 percent or eight (8) in 10 millennials have agreed that they would like their company workplace to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.

With the millennial generation expected to make up 50 percent of the global workforce by 2020, ensuring the well-being of millennials will be important to improving workplace productivity. 

“There are about 35 million millennials now in the Philippines, which is about one-third of the country’s entire population. Five years from now, millennials will be dominating the labor force. While most millennials want to lead healthy lives, they face real obstacles at work in doing so,”said Rosalio Valenzuela, Herbalife Philippines General Manager. 

Herbalife is a global nutrition company that has been changing people's lives with great products since 1980. Its nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness and personal care products are available exclusively to and through dedicated Herbalife Independent Members in more than 90 countries.  

“At Herbalife Nutrition, we provide our employees with nutrition products at work, subsidize gym memberships, hold regular wellness programs related to nutrition and well-being, and encourage participation in outdoor activities and sports competitions,” Valenzuela added.

The survey also revealed that 7 out of 10 millennials strive to live healthy, active lives. However, the majority of millennials find it challenging to maintain an active lifestyle at work – 8 out of 10 millennials spend 6 to 13 hours at their work desk each day, and 64% of millennials get less than 30 minutes of physical activity - including standing, stretching and walking at work on an average work day. Additionally, 64% of millennials cited the “lack of time” as the key obstacle to engaging in physical activity at work.

To provide tips on how millennials and their employers can integrate positive nutrition and life style habits at their workplaces, Herbalife Nutrition has organized a sixth Asia Pacific Wellness Tour, which builds upon the successes of the past five tours that welcomed over 100, 000  participants. Five experts from the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board (NAB) had toured 21 Asian cities from October 7 to 30, and held a series of talks, workshops and medical symposia across the region.

“Through these efforts, we hope to equip organizations and employees with the right tools to collectively build a healthier work environment across Asia Pacific,” said Valenzuela.

 

Julian Alvarez Garcia, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board, visited Manila for the Asia Pacific Wellness Tour. She shared expert advice on how millennials can adopt simple positive nutrition and lifestyle habits at work to improve their overall well-being in the long run. Here are some of his tips to help foster a healthier millennial workforce include:

·         Nutrition

o   Dedicate a healthy eating day each week and get colleagues involved in making healthy choices for lunch on this day.

o   Boost water intake to help the body digest food, rid the body of toxins, and help deliver nutrients to the cells. Drink at least eight (8) glasses or two (2) liters of water a day.

o   Have a protein shake combined with non-fat milk and healthy fruit for breakfast. With 20-30 grams of protein and low-fat contents, it can provide the body with all the nutrition it needs to power through the day.

·         Active Living

o   Create a playlist that incorporates upbeat music and play with hourly intervals.

o   Use Running Apps to keep energized and on-pace during regular runs.

o   Set a goal to join running competitions to motivate self to sustain an active lifestyle.