Himalaya and IMRB Conducts India's First 'Wellness in India' Survey

BENGALURU, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Survey Reveals 68% of Urban Indians do not Practice Preventive Healthcare at an Early Stage, When They do not Suffer From Lifestyle Disorders

India's first survey to understand wellness trends in India conducted by Himalaya and IMRB revealed that less than 1/3rd urban Indians take steps to proactively adopt preventive wellness.

The survey was conducted to bring out the trends and perceptions about 'wellness' amongst urban adults in three key markets - Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. A total sample size of 896 urban and semi-urban people belonging to the age group of 20-55 years were interviewed to draw insights to understand the perception of wellness in India. The survey has revealed that respondents from Mumbai perceived themselves to be healthier compared to the other two cities.

The survey has found that 61% of people have acknowledged facing some health issues, with joint pains (27%), low immunity (19%) and obesity (12%) being the top among it. Out of this, females and elderly are more prone to having a higher incidence of any health issues. The findings also state that people are now willing to make lifestyle shifts in order to achieve overall wellness. People recognized that preventive wellness is necessary to ensure a healthy tomorrow and this increase in awareness reflects the need for change in everyone's hectic routines. Moreover, 49% of the people considered supplements and Ayurveda products as effective preventive wellness measures.

Dr. Mohamed Rafiq, Principal Scientist - Research and Development Center, The Himalaya Drug Company said, "This survey is a step towards understanding people's perceptions and beliefs towards wellness. It reveals that while people have a high appreciation for preventive healthcare, they seldom practice necessary steps required to achieve overall wellness."

62% of respondents believed that work-life balance is the key to achieve a healthy life and 67% of the respondents attribute wellness to maintaining a balanced diet. According to 80% of respondents, improper diet was the main reason for their health issues.

Speaking about the first wellness survey, Mr. Sudheer Srinivas, General Manager, Wellness Division at Himalaya Drug Company, said, "Wellness is a nascent space in the Indian market and people's perceptions towards health and wellness change at a fast pace. Being one of the leading players in the healthcare market and having started a 'wellness' segment recently, we aim to define the segment by thoroughly understanding consumer perceptions and busting the myths that exist in different markets. This survey will help us delve deep into each key market and understand both the awareness levels as well as the motivations that drive people to adopt preventive healthcare measures."

Key highlights from IMRB study:  

- 68% of all people do not practice preventive healthcare from an early stage when they do not suffer from any chronic lifestyle disorders

- Out of all the people who believe supplements are necessary to prevent diseases, only 42.85% consume it

- Young people are more inclined towards preventive healthcare, with 93% of preventive healthcare seekers belonging to 20-30 age group

- Lack of self-motivation (34%) as well as time constraints (23%) are the key barriers to adopt preventive measures

- Preventive health seekers are more inclined towards physical fitness and curative health seekers towards taking health supplements

- Health drinks, home-made protein shakes and Chyawanprash are commonly used food or health supplements. About 1/10th of people in Delhi and Mumbai use vitamin or mineral tablets

- 85% of Mumbaikars believe that self-initiative was the best way to stay healthy, 58% of Bengalurueans relate to mental stimulation and socializing for being healthy

- 72% of Bengalurueans believe that work-life balance is the most important aspect of preventive healthcare

- 53% of Delhiites initiate healthy habits to maintain good physical appearance

- Delhiites perceive themselves to be more proned to obesity compared to other two markets (23 % vs. 8% and 6% in Mumbai and Bengaluru)

About Himalaya Wellness:  

Himalaya Wellness is a newly created division of the Himalaya group which was launched in December 2015. Divided into 3 wings, it comprises of Pure Herbs, General Wellness and Nutrition, addressing a wide spectrum of medical issues - from preventive care to health management.

For more details, view: http://www.himalayawellness.com/index.htm

About the Himalaya Drug Company:  

The Himalaya Drug Company was founded in 1930 by Mr. M. Manal with a clear vision to bring Ayurveda to the society in a contemporary form and to demystify the 5,000-year-old system of medicine. Today with over 200 products spanning pharmaceuticals, personal care, baby care and animal health, Himalaya has reinterpreted Ayurveda, offering head-to-heel herbal healthcare for every member of the family. Products like Liv.52, Septilin and Bonnisan from the pharmaceutical stable have acquired blockbuster status today. In the personal care portfolio, Himalaya is the maker of the no. 1 face wash in India - Purifying Neem Face Wash.

Over the years, the company has received numerous domestic and international certifications for good manufacturing practices. The latest from SGS, France, certifies the company's manufacturing, storage and supply of personal care products.

For more information, please visit - http://www.himalayawellness.com

Media contact:
Mili Martin
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