Consumers eager to spend on health
Some 70% of consumers in Asia-Pacific are willing to increase their spending on health and wellness as they become more health-conscious following the pandemic, according to a recent survey.
The Asia-Pacific Health Priority Survey, conducted by the US supplement distributor Herbalife, found interest in health improvement is most apparent in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The majority of respondents place a greater focus on living a healthy, active lifestyle, and achieving a holistic approach to health. More than half of consumers in the region aim to improve overall health, whereas 46% want to have better sleep and enhanced immunity.
“Consumers in the region want to expand their spending on health and wellness, with 56% planning to spend 1-10% more and 31% wanting to increase outlays by 11-20%,” the report noted, with the trend evident mostly in Southeast Asian markets.
The survey also showed differing intentions among generations, as older consumers such as Gen X and Baby Boomers are more focused on strengthening their immunity (50%), compared with Gen Z and millennials (42%).
On the other hand, 46% of the younger generations consider improving their mental health a crucial part of their health goals, whilst only 34% of the older generations shared the same view.
Another health goal was improved eating habits, according to the survey of 5,504 consumers across 11 Asia-Pacific markets comprising Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Some 45% of respondents cited a lack of time and motivation (39%) as the top challenges preventing them from achieving their health goals. Almost 90% of consumers recognise the importance of having a support group for their health and wellness journey in order to overcome these challenges.
The survey findings suggest that people across the region appreciate the key role that nutrition plays in maintaining long-term health and vitality, as 65% of consumers would use increased spending to make healthier food choices, purchase or consume dietary supplements (52%), and seek mental health consultation (25%).
“With a heightened interest in living a healthy, active lifestyle, and a growing need for support groups to overcome challenges along the way, our company has never been more relevant for meeting the evolving needs of consumers,” said Stephen Conchie, regional president for Herbalife Asia-Pacific and China.