Reversing Obesity 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 Obesity is recognized by leading health organizations, including the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization (WHO), as a chronic disease. It is associated with decreased life expectancy and co-morbidities and requires a long and comprehensive management approach to help people. Choosing a healthy eating pattern low in added sugars can have important health benefits. For many people, targeted behavior coaching, which transforms their eating, exercise, and other habits, known as intensive lifestyle intervention, can make a difference. Having an education in an area helps people think, feel, and behave in a way that contributes to their success, and improves not only their personal satisfaction but also their community.” ~Dr. Rocio Medina, Vice Chairwoman, and Member, Nutrition Advisory Board, Herbalife Nutrition

Reversing Obesity Among Filipinos

Herbalife Nutrition Online Media Engagement with Dr. Rocio Medina. Reversing Obesity Among Filipinos Diet Decision Survey 2020. Herbalife Nutrition Philippines aims to support and educate Filipinos towards making proper nutrition choices for optimal health benefits. Dr. Rocio also provides relevant information on the rising prevalence of obesity in the Philippines. She discussed the important insights on obesity and weight management to assess their serious impact on public health.

Reversing Obesity Among Filipinos with Dr. Rocio Medina

More Filipino consumers are eating healthier in the new normal, open to plant-based/meatless food – Herbalife Nutrition survey.

Reversing Obesity Among Filipinos with Dr. Rocio Medina

Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition, recently released findings from the 2020 Diet Decisions Survey, which revealed that Filipino consumers are eating better. Among those polled, 53% said they have started eating more fruits and vegetables and 43% ate more plant-based food. Among the 11 Asia Pacific markets surveyed, the Philippines also ranked highest (62%) in their openness to plant-based foods/meatless options. 

The survey, which polled 8,000 consumers in eight Asia Pacific markets, including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, also shed light on the motivations behind the consumers’ recent dietary and lifestyle changes, with the aim of inspiring more people to adopt better nutrition and lifestyle habits to improve their overall well-being now and into the future.

Dr. Medina spoke about “Reversing Obesity Among Filipinos” during the Virtual Wellness Tour of Herbalife Nutrition Philippines. The monthly event is part of Herbalife Nutrition’s continuing efforts and commitment to raising public awareness on the importance of balanced nutrition and having a healthy active lifestyle.

Obesity Definition:

• Obesity is recognized by leading health organizations, including the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, as a chronic disease.
• Associated with decreased life expectancy and many comorbidities, obesity requires a long-term and comprehensive management approach to help people
• The WHO has declared that obesity is the largest global public health problem in adults, which is becoming a more serious problem than malnutrition. 

Dr. Medina added that the WHO has even declared obesity as the largest global health pandemic in adults and is becoming a more serious problem than malnutrition.

Citing figures from the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Dr. Medina said that one in three adults in the Philippines is obese and this trend has been increasing over time. A high prevalence of young adult obesity occurs across the country, with most obese young adults to be found in Luzon.

Reversing obesity

According to Dr. Medina, there are three factors that can help improve body composition:

• Increasing one’s intake of high biological value protein, like isolated soy protein, egg white, beef protein, fish, poultry, and whey
• Decreasing one’s consumption of simple carbohydrates such as white bread, white sugar, and white rice.
• Increasing one’s physical activity like doing strength training for 2 to 3 times a week and resistance aerobic training 3 to 4 times a week.

Dr. Medina advised cutting down on added sugars.

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 and 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%)
• 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 consumers believe they will emerge healthier from the pandemic

According to the survey findings, 77% 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.

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. 

Concluding, Dr. Medina underlined the importance of nutrition education.

She likewise added that behavior coaching can also make a difference in improving one’s habits.

Herbalife Nutrition has more than 8,300 employees worldwide. To learn more, visit IAmHerbalife.com. 

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 for nutrition - changing people's lives with great nutrition products and programs - since 1980. Herbalife Nutrition offers high-quality, science-backed products, one-on-one coaching with an Herbalife Nutrition Independent Member, and a supportive community that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. 

Herbalife Nutrition’s targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness, and personal care products are available through its Independent Members in more than 90 countries. 

Herbalife Nutrition supports the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists community organizations focused on providing good nutrition. Herbalife Nutrition is also proud to sponsor more than 190 world-class athletes, teams, and events around the globe.