Only 19% of Filipino consumers got 50% of
the answers correct in a general nutrition knowledge quiz conducted by premiere
global nutrition company Herbalife Nutrition.
The Philippines’ score was lower than the Asia Pacific (APAC) average of
23%.
The quiz was administered as part of
Herbalife Nutrition’s Asia Pacific Nutrition Myths Survey 2020, which
was conducted in March with 5,500 respondents from Australia, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and
Vietnam. To test the nutrition knowledge of the survey participants, the quiz
included a total of 48 “True or False” questions spanning nine nutrition areas
- general nutrition, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals,
caffeine, weight management and breakfast.
“The results of the quiz and the survey
show that there is a significant nutrition knowledge gap among Filipinos. We hope
to help close the gap to empower them with the nutrition knowledge they need to
make better nutrition choices,” said Sridhar Rajagopalan, Senior Director,
Sub-Region Head, and General Manager of Herbalife Nutrition Philippines.
Only 7% among those surveyed said that they
were extremely confident about their nutrition knowledge. Fifty-four percent
claimed that they were only somewhat well-informed.
Filipino consumers, however, expressed that
they believe in the importance of balanced nutrition. It is among the top three
nutrition advice that they were most interested in along with how to improve
ailment/condition through nutrition and managing weight through nutrition.
“This is a good sign, so the next step is
helping them achieve this,” Rajagopalan said.
What Filipinos Got Right and Wrong About Nutrition Knowledge
Majority of the Filipino respondents (85%)
falsely believe that one needs sufficient calcium intake at any age to optimize
peak bone mass for bone health.
“Our peak bone mass (max bone size and
strength) is dependent on calcium intake and reaches its peak by age 30.
However, sufficient calcium intake throughout life can reduce the risk of
osteoporosis,” Rajagopalan said.
When it comes to fats, 68% got it right
that fats provide the body with energy but only 42% correctly believed that it
helps the body absorb vitamins.
80% correctly said that exercise helps the
body rebuild muscles and increase lean muscles. However, 51% falsely believe
that protein powder is not a healthy source of protein as compared to protein
found in natural foods.
“Protein powder can be as good as protein
from natural foods if derived from high-quality sources. For instance, soy
protein from soybeans is a complete protein, providing a full range of nine
essential amino acids for the body’s nutrition requirements,” Rajagopalan
added.
94% of the Filipino
consumers were right in their belief that fruits and Vitamin C supplements can
help boost immunity and resistance to infection. Among the APAC respondents, they
were the highest in this belief.
While 47% of Filipino consumers believed
that it is extremely important to be educated with proper and accurate
nutrition knowledge, they also said that too much misinformation and myths
online prevent them from gaining accurate nutrition knowledge (39%).
The other top barriers were lack of
information from government websites and health authorities (22%) and the lack
of information from healthcare professionals (17%).
About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that
has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven
business opportunity for its independent members since 1980. The
Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90
countries by entrepreneurial members who provide one-on-one coaching
and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a
healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global campaign to
eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition
and education to communities around the world.
For
more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.
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