Herbalife's survey reveals workforce leading to risk of lifestyle

Herbalife, a global nutritional food company, has released the findings from the new nutrition at work survey, which revealed that the majority of Asia-Pacific's workforce leads largely sedentary lifestyles, putting them at risk of many lifestyle disorders like obesity, heart ailments, etc.

The survey, which was designed to understand the lifestyle habits and attitudes of Asia Pacific's modern workforce, was conducted in among 5,500 full-time workers in 11 Asia-Pacific markets in the age group 18 to 60 years divided equally under both genders.

Some of the key insights from the survey includes hours spent at desk on average work day: 67 percent (six to nine hours) and 17 percent (10-12 hours). Women were more likely to claim to spend six to nine hours and less likely to spend less than six hours per day at their desk.

Frequency of eating lunch at desk: 37 percent Indians spend four to five days a week having lunches at their desk. As compared to men, women were generally more likely to claim to eat lunch at their desk at least twice per week.

Minutes of daily physical activity at work place: Around 24 percent Indian corporate will do physical activity for 11-20 minutes. Men generally were slightly more likely to get at least half an hour of daily physical activity in the work place.

Obstacles to exercising/stretching at work: 63 percent Indian corporate give lack of time and around 27 percent say it to be embarrassing to stretch at work.

Times per week engage in physical activity: 68 percent Indians will engage in two to six times of physical activity per week.

Health issues that could arise from sedentary lifestyle: Around 64 percent of Indians will have health issues due to gain of weight and 42 percent are aware about heart disease. In general, women were more likely than men to recognize the health risks from a sedentary lifestyle.

With the alarming results from the survey, organizations need to take steps to encourage employees for an active and healthy lifestyle by providing internal fitness facilities or organize group work out activities to boost up overall health.

The HR department of corporate organizations should keep employee engagement program focusing on healthy and active lifestyle of employees.