How many times did you eat lunch at your desk this week? According to Herbalife’s recent Nutrition At Work survey, focused on the Asia-Pacific region, half the workforce eats lunch over the keyboard two to five times a week—part of a sedentary lifestyle the nutrition company hopes to combat through its Asia Pacific Wellness Tour, running from April to May.
In March, Herbalife polled 5,500 respondents in 11 markets across the region, in an effort to understand the lifestyle habits and attitudes of Asia Pacific’s modern workforce. The findings were bleak, showing that 85 percent of workers spend at least six hours a day sitting at their desk. In another statistic, 83 percent said they exercise less than three times a week, putting them at risk of obesity. Seven out of 10 workers claimed they strive to stay active, but the majority found it difficult to balance work and working out.
“While the majority of Asia Pacific’s workforce desire to lead healthy, active lives, there are tangible constraints preventing them from doing so,” said Frank Lamberti, Herbalife’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director, North Asia.
That’s where Herbalife comes in. Five years ago, the supplement and shake seller launched its Asia Pacific Wellness Tour, a string of educational events providing practical steps toward a healthy, active lifestyle. The tour features members of Herbalife’s Nutrition Advisory Board, in a variety of formats, on topics ranging from weight management to brain health and aging. All told, the company has hosted more than 80,000 at its open-to-the-public events.
The Asia Pacific Wellness Tour 2016 set out to visit 26 cities across the region throughout April and May. California-based Herbalife derives a fifth of its sales from Asia Pacific, making it the company’s largest region in terms of revenue. Last year, Herbalife logged total revenue of $4.47 billion, earning the No. 3 rank on the 2016 DSN Global 100, a list of the top direct selling companies in the world.
