Two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruption of people’s daily lives due to the announcement of lockdown regulations in most parts of the world cannot be denied. When new restrictions limited social gatherings and the sort of mobility people were accustomed to, staying at home became the new norm.

And while the importance of these policies cannot be downplayed, it has been observed that this prolonged stay at home led people to develop a sedentary lifestyle. This means that more people nowadays live with little to no physical activity. 

This lifestyle is noticeable in the Philippines, which currently still observes varying quarantine regulations.

Older Filipinos and the sedentary lifestyle

To understand Filipinos’ sedentary lifestyle and how physical activity has changed amid the pandemic, Anlene, one of the adult milk pioneers, conducted an online survey. 67% of respondents said that they feel less active nowadays. Meanwhile, 53% said that they only get 10-20 minutes of exercise per week.

With 55% of respondents in the 30-50 age group, it is evident that older Filipinos are now more sedentary compared to pre-pandemic. These respondents reported that they observed weight gain, as well as lethargy, lack of energy, and joint and muscle pain now that they are moving less. 

Health implications of a sedentary lifestyle

As respondents have experienced, lack of movement or physical activity has implications on our health. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintains healthy body weight, and can improve mental health, quality of life, and well-being. 

This can also affect our locomotor systems. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data showed that approximately 1.71 billion people globally have musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoporosis. Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men aged 50 years and over will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.

In an interview with Anlene, Dr. Julie Li Yu, President of Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation, Incorporated (OSPFI), mentioned that the regular movement of our bones, muscles, and joints is vital to health in the long run. 

“We have to focus on the muscles, the bones, as well as the joints in order to lessen the burden of the disease or to lessen the burden of musculoskeletal disorders. We’re [not] just looking at prevention in adults, but prevention as early as childhood,” said Li Yu.  

Exercise and physical activities for bone, joint, and muscle health

To counter this sedentary lifestyle, exercise and physical activity are advised. 

According to Jo-Ann Verdadero-Salamat, Registered Nutritionist Dietician, weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, climbing stairs, and jogging, as well as resistance exercises are the best for bones. 

“Joint-friendly physical activities are low-impact, which means they put less stress on the body, reducing the risk of injury. Examples of these activities include walking, biking, and swimming.”

In the survey, 67% of respondents identified doing household chores as physical movements they usually do. Did you know that these can also be beneficial?

“Household chores are also considered good activities to strengthen our bones, joints, and muscles for they make us move, stretch, carry objects, and burn calories in doing so. Sweeping and mopping the floor, wiping the tops of tables and furniture, washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning your car are good examples. Carrying your grocery bags is also a form of resistance exercise which strengthens bones,” she added.

Movement, proper nutrition, and Anlene go hand-in-hand

On top of regular movement, expert nutrition is more important than ever. The best way to take care of the overall health status of the individual or a person would be to have well-balanced proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

Well-balanced meals can be supplemented with Anlene. With two glasses of Anlene, you can get 100% of your daily calcium and vitamin D needs. It is also high in protein for muscles and has collagen and vitamin C for joints. Additionally, milk or dairy has high bioavailability which means nutrients are easily absorbed and assimilated in the body, allowing it to perform vital functions.

Anlene Gold 5x, the newest addition to the brand’s portfolio, offers more advanced nutrition for bones, joints, muscles, energy, and flexibility. On top of the high levels of calcium, vitamin D, and protein, it has the complete set of B vitamins and MFGMActiv, a new ingredient. It is a natural dairy component composed of fats and proteins with newly discovered benefits in supporting the optimal function of bones, joints, and muscles for better mobility.

Anlene as partner in taking care of your bones, joints, and muscles

Anlene has been in the market for 30 years and has built its expertise on bone health. It has now expanded to joint and muscle health as well. With the nutrients its product provides, it is a partner in keeping your bones, joints, and muscles healthy.

In an email interview, Roberta Mundo, Anlene Marketing Manager, emphasized that Anlene’s goal is to provide superior adult nutrition to strengthen bones, joints, and muscles to enable adults to move at any age and live their best lives. 

Anlene remains committed to helping Filipinos become stronger and healthier today to keep moving for a better tomorrow. This coming World Osteoporosis Day, October 20, the brand encourages Filipinos to reconsider their pandemic lifestyles by being more active and getting the proper nutrition.

Join Anlene and start your movement story. Check out their Kilos Tayo playlist here for beginner exercise routines and other workout videos. – Rappler.com