Southeast Asia is witnessing a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes¹, due to factors like a diet high in unhealthy processed food and a more urban, sedentary lifestyle. There is a need to strengthen awareness on the importance of a balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle among the public, which includes consuming more plant-based food daily.

In this podcast, Dr. Alex Teo, Director, Research Development and Scientific Affairs – Asia Pacific, Herbalife Nutrition, and Dr. Mahenderan Appukutty, Vice President of Nutrition Society of Malaysia, discuss lifestyle-linked diseases, the benefits of a plant-based diet, and the need for public nutrition education initiatives to strengthen awareness on maintaining good health and immune systems.

Key insights include:

• The growing trend of unhealthy eating patterns that cause malnutrition and a rapid increase of NCDs in this region
• Herbalife surveys showed 80% of consumers want to kick unhealthy lifestyle habits they developed during the pandemic, and plan to purchase more plant-based foods over the next 12 months
• Plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can provide different essential nutrients and other phytonutrients to the body
  • For example, soy is a complete plant-based protein, which contain all 9 essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on their own
  • In addition, soy crops use less water, emit less carbon, and produce more protein per acres compare to beef, eggs, or milk
• The importance of public-private partnerships to help promote and educate the consumers on accurate and proper nutrition information

Listen to the podcast here.

Read the transcript here.

References

https://www.who.int/southeastasia/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases