PR84165

Herbalife Nutrition Survey Reveals Asia Pacific Consumers Turn to Social Media for Nutrition Information, But Prevalence of Online Myths Prevents Accurate Nutrition Knowledge

HONG KONG, May 27, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Less than a quarter of Asia Pacific consumers scored passing marks in a general

nutrition knowledge quiz, with only four in 10 expressing strong confidence in

their personal nutrition knowledge

Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition, today released findings

from its Asia Pacific Nutrition Myths Survey 2020, which revealed that social

media was the most frequently used source of nutrition information among Asia

Pacific consumers. While close to seven in 10 (68%) use social media on a

monthly basis to retrieve information related to nutrition, the prevalence of

nutrition misinformation and myths online was found to be the top barrier

preventing consumers from gaining accurate nutrition knowledge.

Photo-https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200527/2814271-1

To garner a better understanding of the level of nutrition knowledge among Asia

Pacific consumers and uncover some of the more commonly-believed nutrition

myths among consumers today, Herbalife Nutrition conducted the Asia Pacific

Nutrition Myths Survey 2020, with 5,500 respondents from markets including

Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines,

Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam in March 2020.

In a general nutrition knowledge quiz administered together with the survey,

less than a quarter (23%) of the respondents answered half or more of the

questions correctly. Not only did this point to the overall low levels of

nutrition knowledge among consumers in the region, the survey also revealed

that less than four in 10 (38%) consumers expressed strong confidence in their

personal nutrition knowledge.

"With the myriad of nutrition information sources and the prevalence of

nutrition myths, it is more challenging than ever for consumers to obtain

accurate information, and differentiate nutrition facts from fiction.

Consumers' low scores in the nutrition general knowledge quiz further

underscore the importance of obtaining accurate knowledge from credible

sources," said Stephen Conchie, Senior Vice President and Managing Director,

Asia Pacific, Herbalife Nutrition. "With insights from this survey, we want to

uncover some of the key nutrition information gaps, and help close these gaps

to empower consumers with the nutrition knowledge they need to achieve their

desired health outcomes."

Social Media: The Most Frequently Used, Least Trusted Source of Nutrition

Information

When consumers were asked about the sources they use to retrieve

nutrition-related information:

-68% said that they make use of social media;

-64% go to their friends and family; and

-59% turn to media publications and websites at least once a month.

Although social media was the most frequently used channel, consumers expressed

lowest levels of confidence in its credibility to provide accurate nutrition

information.

-Only three in 10 (30%) consumers expressed strong confidence in the accuracy

of information retrieved from social media;

-However, more than seven in 10 (72%) said they have strong confidence in the

accuracy of information retrieved from healthcare professionals, and

-Over half (54%) expressed strong confidence in the accuracy of information

retrieved from nutrition companies.

When it comes to the usefulness of the nutrition information sources, less than

half of the consumers (48%) said that the information retrieved from social

media was very or extremely useful. Instead, consumers find the nutrition

information retrieved from healthcare professionals (74%), nutrition companies

(60%), as well as media publications and websites (53%) to be more helpful for

them.

Online Misinformation and Myths: Top Barrier to Gaining Accurate Nutrition

Knowledge

While more than seven in 10 (72%) Asia Pacific consumers said that it was very

or extremely important to be educated with proper and accurate nutritional

knowledge, only three in 10 (27%) admitted that they are well informed in the

area of nutrition. Key barriers include:

-Prevalence of nutrition misinformation and myths available online (40%);

-Lack of nutrition information from government websites and health authorities

(16%); and

-Lack of nutrition information from healthcare professionals (16%).

Bridging the Nutrition Knowledge Gaps in Asia Pacific

With healthcare professionals and nutrition companies being seen as the most

credible sources of nutrition information, this revealed a need for both

parties to do more to empower consumers with the information and tools they

need to reap the full benefits of good nutrition.

From the survey, the majority of Asia Pacific consumers (65%) expressed strong

interest in receiving nutrition advice from healthcare professionals to improve

their well-being, and more than four in five (83%) want to receive more

proactive nutrition advice from them. As such, a collective effort by the

government, healthcare institutions and the nutrition industry would be more

effective in educating consumers on the basics and benefits of good nutrition,

to help them along on their journey towards healthy living.

About Herbalife Nutrition

Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives

with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its

independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers high-quality,

science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial

distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that

inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through

the Company's global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also

committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

For more information, please visit

IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com(https://www.iamherbalifenutrition.com/).

Source Herbalife Nutrition Asia Pacific

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=364758

   Caption: Key findings of Herbalife Nutrition "APAC Nutrition Myths Survey"