Leading a healthy lifestyle at work, is something that has been getting a fair amount of attention in Asia.
A recent survey by Herbalife Nutrition, looked into some aspects of working healthy, in particular how sedentary people are at workplaces in Asia.
As you might know sitting for prolonged periods of time is very unhealthy and people with desk jobs are especially susceptible to this.
The study engaged 5,500 full time employees across 11 Asia Pacific Markets, including Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
The results?
9 out of 10 employees in Asia, spend more than 6 hours at their desk, on an average work day.
Twenty-nine percent of Singaporeans eat lunch at their desks four to five times each week. The Asia Pacific average came in at 15 percent.
Furthermore, Singaporean women were more likely to lunch while working and spend more time at their desks in general than men, according to the poll. The average desk time for women clocked in between six and nine hours for 66 percent of the women, four percent higher than male statistics.
In other Asia Pacific markets, percentages fell to either side of the Singaporean results. Hong Kong professionals came in at 34 percent, with Malaysia trailing at a healthier 22 percent. Indonesia claims the highest percentage of workers lunching at their desks, 71 percent.
Increased efficiency and downsizing factor into the equation for Singapore. Maximum output with fewer employees requires greater time commitments. Longer hours and fewer breaks result.
While people in Singapore understand the need and value of pursuing physical activity, according to Dr. Luigi Gratton, vice president of Worldwide Nutrition and Education Development, their sedentary lifestyles highlight that many people are not acting on this knowledge.
This information also bears out in health-related concerns. Weight gain ranked as the top issue for men, 74 percent, and women, 81 percent. Less energy and poor digestive health were next in line, as the top concerns.
Survey respondents recognize the significant role corporate culture plays in enabling them to achieve a healthy lifestyle. They admit that they would be encouraged to adopt a physically active lifestyle if it were part of their corporate culture.