If you have been feeling tired, heavy, and lethargic lately, then you might be one of the many Filipinos whose physical activity has significantly declined over the past year. A recent survey conducted by Movement Today revealed Filipinos have been moving less since the start of the pandemic.
Of 293 total adult respondents aged 20 to 50 years old surveyed in August, 67 percent said they felt less active since COVID-19 started, with 53 percent saying they are lucky enough if they can sneak in a 10 to 20-minute workout in a week.
This is a far cry from the World Health Organization recommended minimum time of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. The survey results show physical activity has decreased during the pandemic, with a large number of respondents experiencing back pains, muscle, and joint pain, and feeling more tired and lethargic.
With lockdowns and restrictions limiting movement, it is natural that many have lost the motivation and capacity to exercise the way they used to.
However, a sedentary lifestyle can have negative effects on our overall health, according to Dr. Julie Li-Yu, president of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation Inc. (OSPFI).
“This October, as we celebrate bone and joint awareness week and world osteoporosis day, the OSPFI is one with many other health organizations all over the world in advocating for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of Osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal diseases,”
She encouraged Filipinos to focus on the health of muscles and joints, in addition to bone health.
Conducted in August 2021, Movement Today’s survey aimed to understand how Filipinos’ physical activity has changed in the past year.
Dr. Li-Yu said when it comes to our bones, joints and muscles, health is built over time, with prevention as early as in one's childhood years.
“We call it a bone bank,” she said, noting that bone mass peaks at about 30 to 40 years old.
It is vital to “invest” in our bodies as early as possible, she said, by moving regularly as well as feeding it with the proper nutrition in order to have the best quality of life as we age.
“Any type of movement is better than nothing,” she said, adding that this should be complemented by a well-balanced, healthy diet.
“Everything boils down to having a well-balanced diet. If we feed our bodies with the right nutrition according to the recommended daily allowance (RDA), then having healthy bones, joints and muscles will follow through,” she said.
Data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) has shown the diet of Filipinos in general does not meet the recommended daily allowance of micronutrients. This is why many food products are fortified.
“Anlene, the trusted bone expert and one of the pioneers of adult milk, has been advocating the importance of caring for bones, joints, and muscles for the past 30 years by providing superior adult nutrition to enable adults to move at any age and live their best lives,” said Roberta Mundo, Anlene marketing manager.
Anlene products contain vital macro and micronutrients such as protein, calcium, Vitamin D, collagen + VIT C to help strengthen bone, joint, and muscle health. The new Anlene Gold 5x also offers more advanced nutrition for bones, joints, muscles, energy, and flexibility. On top of the high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and protein, it also has the complete set of B vitamins and a new ingredient called MFGMActiv, a natural dairy component composed of fats and proteins which supports optimal function of bones, joints, and muscles for better mobility.
“As we celebrate bone and joint awareness week and World Osteoporosis Day, we’d like to invite all Filipino adults to proactively take care of their health by building a daily habit of movement and choosing to eat healthily and enrich their diets with nutritional foods with the help of Anlene Let’s aim to be stronger and healthier today to keep moving for a better tomorrow,” Mundo added.
