The big battle vs. obesity

MANILA, Philippines - Dublin-based obesity and metabolic expert Dr. Carel Le Roux has raised the alarm on the rising incidence of obesity in the Asia Pacific at the recent launch of the Wellness Tour of global nutrition company Herbalife at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Taguig.“People from this region are mostly heavy on the tummy. That’s where the problem lies. The challenge is to reduce the fat from the inside… This way, we can keep people healthier for longer,” said Dr. Carel, whose study on obesity won last March the President of Ireland Young Researchers Award.

According to Dr. Carel, 27 percent of people from the Asia Pacific are now considered overweight or obese. He warned of the health hazards and consequences of this growing threat to the region. “Obesity is now widely recognized as a global disease. People die because of the complications of obesity… Prevent them before becoming sick of the weight, and supplementation should not be a substitute for medication,” he admonished.

With supplementation, Dr. Carel was referring to Herbalife’s Formula 1 Shake, currently the world’s top-selling meal replacement product, accounting for 28.5 percent of global meal replacement sales in 2012, according to Euromonitor International. It is full of essential nutrients — proteins, vitamins, minerals, and calcium — that are all important for the functions of a healthy body. The shakes tackle obesity and weight management issues head-on by supporting good health and effective weight control. 

 â€œWith the rising trend of obesity and aging, the Herbalife Wellness Tour seeks to present valuable insights on nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and physical activity as the world’s population faces a global nutrition transition,” explained William M. Rahn, senior vice president and managing director for Herbalife Asia Pacific.

Aside from Le Roux, the members of the Herbalife NAB who are participating in the Wellness Tour include leading global experts in the fields of nutrition and health: Dr. Julián Álvarez García, sports medicine and sports physiology; Dr. Banu Cayci, obesity, exercise, and antioxidants; Dr. Marco De Angelis, sports medicine; Dr. Nataniel Viuniski, pediatrician and nutritional expert; Dr. Jonathan Yarom, sports and preventative medicine; and Dr. Rocio Medina, obesity and nutrition. Medina is also Herbalife’s vice president of worldwide nutrition training.