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67% of Filipinos moving less

Bone health is another pandemic casualty

Of the 293 respondents aged 20-50, 67% said they felt less active since the pandemic started.

If you have been feeling tired, heavy and lethargic lately, you might be one of many Filipinos whose physical activity has significantly declined the past year. A recent survey conducted by Movement Today revealed Filipinos have been moving less since the start of the pandemic.

With lockdowns and restrictions limiting our movement, many have lost the motivation and ability to exercise like they used to. While this is normal, a sedentary lifestyle can have negative effects on health, according to Dr. Julie Li-Yu, president of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation Inc. (OSPFI).

Not many realize that having a sedentary lifestyle poses a great risk to one’s musculoskeletal health. It can have a significant impact on our ability to move as we age, affecting the quality of life. The bones, joints and muscles are important to maintain health and wellbeing.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), musculoskeletal conditions have been identified as one of the highest contributors of disabilities worldwide. Dr. Li-Yu, therefore, encourages focusing on our muscles and joints, in addition to our bone health.

WHO and the Center for Disease Control note that the pandemic has significantly impacted people’s lifestyles and ability to move.

“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 says.

Conducted in August 2021, Movement Today’s survey aimed to understand how Filipinos’ physical activity has changed the past year. The respondents were adults aged 20-50. Of 293 total respondents, 67% said they felt less active since COVID19 pandemic started, with 53% able to squeeze in only 10 to 20-minute workout a week, much less than the WHO-recommended minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

The results show physical activity has indeed decreased during the pandemic, with a large number of respondents experiencing back pains, muscle and joint pain, and feeling more tired and lethargic. This indicates a more sedentary lifestyle, causing many to feel physically and mentally drained.

53% of respondents say they are lucky enough to squeeze in 10- to 20-minute workout in a week.

The WHO and the Center for Disease Control note how the pandemic has significantly impacted people’s lifestyles and ability to move. They encourage those stuck at home to be mindful of  staying active, to reduce significantly one’s susceptibility to COVID19 by mitigating the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, type2 diabetes, apart from musculoskeletal health concerns.

According to Dr. Li-Yu, when it comes to bones, joints and muscles, health is built over time; prevention starting in childhood is key. “We call it a bone bank,” she explains. Our youth is spent nourishing and conditioning our bodies until we achieve our peak bone mass at about 30 to 40 years old. Thereafter, our bodies decline, hence it is vital to “invest” in our bodies as early as possible by moving regularly and with proper nutrition to have the best quality of life as we age.

When it comes to movement, one does not have to spend much, or at all. According to Dr. Li-Yu, walking is an effective activity that benefits the entire body. She also suggests resistance exercises to build specific muscle groups. “Any type of movement is better than nothing,” she says.

Even while working from home, one can keep the body active.

Milk has high bioavailability, which means nutrients are easily absorbed

In addition to physical movement, having a well-balanced, healthy diet is also important. “Everything boils down to having a well-balanced diet. If we feed our bodies the right nutrition according to the recommended daily allowance (RDA), having healthy bones, joints and muscles will follow,” she says. The RDA consists of macronutrients such as protein, fats and carbohydrates as well as micronutrients composed of vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium and Vitamin D.

Alarming data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) indicates that the diet of Filipinos in general does not meet the recommended daily allowance of micronutrients. This is why many food products are fortified; we need to consume products that supplement our regular food intake.

“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,” says Roberta Mundo, Anlene marketing manager.

The new Anlene Gold 5x 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 of fats and proteins which supports optimal function of bones, joints, and muscles for better mobility.

Anlene products contain vital macro and micronutrients such as protein, calcium, Vitamin D, collagen + VIT C to help strengthen bone, joint and muscle health. Also, the new Anlene Gold 5x 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.

Anlene was designed by research scientists, nutritionists and product developers to contain essential nutrients for overall health and well-being. Milk has high bioavailability, which means nutrients are easily absorbed and assimilated in the body to perform its vital functions.  “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 concludes.

Join the Anlene movement and check out Anlene’s Kilos tayo playlist


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