In a recent survey
conducted among Malaysians aged 40 to 59 years, it was found that 95% of
respondents are concerned about their bone health and how it may affect their
strength and mobility when they are older. The top three contributing factors
they cited for their concerns are lack of exercise, insufficient exposure to
sunlight (for production of vitamin D in the body to aid calcium absorption),
and avoiding dairy products (which are daily sources of calcium) in their
diet.
Findings from the
survey also indicated, while middle-aged Malaysians understand the importance
of having strong bones, 42% say their current focus is to protect themselves
from getting COVID-19; and 33% say they are already doing their best for their
health including bone health.
The survey was
initiated by Anlene, Malaysia’s No. 1 Adult Milk Powder* and an advocate of
strong bones, joints and muscles through good nutrition coupled with an active
lifestyle. It was conducted blindly earlier in August among 320 middle-aged
respondents to gain insights into their awareness of and viewpoint towards bone
care and health in general.
“From their
responses, we found there are still gaps in their understanding of bone health,
especially when it comes to areas of bone care and whether they are doing
enough to support their bones, which work together with joints and muscles to
help us move and live our daily lives,” said Puan Megawati Suzari, Director of
New Product Development, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs at Fonterra Brands
Malaysia.
To help Malaysians
understand bone health better and to encourage them to pay more attention to
care for their bones, Anlene is launching an educational campaign in
conjunction with World Osteoporosis Day 2021, which falls on 20 October
annually. The campaign will highlight how our bones may start to deteriorate
after they reach peak bone mass at about the age of 30, which makes it
necessary for everyone to make lifestyle interventions to help slow down this
process, so our bones can continue to support an active lifestyle with good
mobility into the silver years.
Megawati advised:
“Malaysian adults can take care of their bone health by doing regular exercises
to help build muscles and maintain strong bones; and eating a balanced diet
that contains important nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D and protein.
Maintaining body weight within a normal range of body mass index is also
important, as being underweight (Body Mass Index of less than 19kg/m2)
may affect our bones.
Interestingly,
Anlene’s survey also found that 30% of the respondents do not know how much
calcium and vitamin D to take daily; and only 30% of the respondents drink milk
every day.
To this, Megawati
further explained: “Adults are advised to consume 1000 – 1200mg of calcium and
15 – 20mcg of vitamin D in a day, as part of their daily bone care routine.
However, many are not aware that, in a typical diet that is lacking in calcium
rich foods, it may be difficult for us to meet our daily calcium needs. For
example, we may need to consume 200 – 240 bowls of cooked rice to get all the
daily calcium we need.
Hence, identifying
and consuming calcium rich food sources are important part of a balanced diet.
In fact, calcium can be found in food sources such as milk, leafy green
vegetables, anchovies, soy products or other calcium fortified products. While
vitamin D can be found in fatty fish (e.g. salmon, sardine), egg yolk and
vitamin D fortified products including milk.”
She added: “As
such, we encourage all adults to make smart food choices and consume a balanced
diet which consist of milk. Milk products that contains key nutrients such as
calcium, vitamin D and protein can help to meet their daily nutritional
needs”.
For example, each
glass of Anlene™ milk comes with key nutrients that are important to support
adults’ daily nutritional needs. The ACTIFIT 3X™ range comes with high calcium,
high protein, collagen, and vitamins B2, B6, B12,
C, D, and E. While Anlene™ GOLD 5X™ is scientifically formulated for adults
aged 45 years and above, with key nutrients as above, plus MFGM Active™, that
provides milk fat globule membrane. It also has no added sugars.
Recent study shows
that participants who consumed 2 glasses of milk added with MFGM (Milk Fat
Globule Membrane) and important nutrients plus regular exercises everyday, had
2 times the improvement in flexibility, 3 times the improvement in balance and
40% more improvement in muscle mass compared to control.
Speaking in a TV
talk show as part of Anlene’s World Osteoporosis Day campaign, Associate
Professor Dr Nor Faissal Yasin, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, University
Malaya Medical Centre and UM Specialist Centre, advised Malaysian adults to
look at risks of developing bone related diseases, such as osteoporosis which
may affect nearly 1 in 4 Malaysian adults (mostly women) aged 50 years and
above.
“Osteoporosis is a
silent disease which is often diagnosed when a fragility fracture occurs,
commonly in the wrist, hip or back bones. Its risk factors include a diet low
in calcium and vitamin D, lack of physical activity, underweight, smoking,
excessive alcohol consumption, advanced age, as well as family history,” said
Dr Nor Faissal.
“Middle-aged
adults should take bone care seriously. Prevention of getting osteoporosis is a
lifelong journey, which can be started by adopting good lifestyle habits
including good dietary practices and stay physically active by moving more
throughout the day. Besides, Malaysians 60 years and above are also recommended
to consult a healthcare professional to assess their bone health annually,” he
advised.
As strong bones are one of the foundations to
support mobility, find out what is your Move Age by assessing your
posture, strength, flexibility and balance with the Anlene Move Check online
quiz https://movecheckquiz.anlene.net.my/ .
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