Invests in Your Bone, Joint, and Muscle Health to Ensure Overall Well-Being

Jakarta, 7 April 2021 – To commemorate the World Physical Activity Day and the World Health Day, Fonterra Brands Indonesia through its Anlene brand has collaborated with Indonesia’s Health Ministry and Osteoporosis Association (PEROSI) to educate people on – adults and elders – and reminds to do physical activity regularly, ensure a balanced diet, and have proper health examination for early disease detection. A healthy lifestyle is something that one must adopt as early as possible when they are still young because it is an investment for their future health and better life.

dr. Riskiyana Sukandhi Putra, M.Kes, Occupational Health and Sports Director, Health Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia, said, "Approximately one in four adults and three in four adolescents at the age of 11 – 17 did not meet the WHO global recommendations on physical activity for health. In Indonesia, at least 33.5% of the population did not get enough physical activity, according to 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas). Separately, Health Ministry's physical fitness test involving common people, civil servants, and Hajj pilgrims revealed that 45% lacked physical fitness and 44% were overweight and obese. Physical fitness is closely related to physical activity; more frequent physical activity means higher physical fitness and healthier body."

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, people are advised to stay at home, leading to sedentary behaviors followed by a reduced level of physical activity. Such an unhealthy lifestyle heightens the risk of non-communicable diseases such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and others. Even at home, we have to stay healthy and active because investing in bone, joint, and muscle health at an early age is essential for our overall well-being at every stage of life.

dr. Riskiyana Sukandhi Putra, M.Kes added, "Indonesia has initiated the National Action Plan for Promoting Physical Activity as part of its commitment to supporting the GAPPA (Global Action Plan for Physical Activity) and aims to reduce the number of people lacking physical activity down to 28.5% by 2035. Such effort certainly requires collaborations of different sectors and health workers. "

"Since 2017, the Indonesian government has initiated the Healthy Society Movement (GERMAS), encouraging Indonesians to do physical activities regularly, adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, and have proper health examination for early disease detection. It is recommended to do physical activity at least 30 minutes per day, or three to five times per week, to combat the sedentary lifestyle. You can do it anywhere, even at home amidst the pandemic."

To remind people to stay active amidst the pandemic, the Occupational Health and Sports Directorate of the Indonesian Health Ministry has launched the SIPGAR app that allows people to independently measure their physical fitness and the Weight Loss Challenge (WLC) to encourage people to lose weight and prevent obesity. The directorate also held webinars to educate people and sports enthusiasts on physical activity improvement, online training programs for healthcare workers, virtual sports, gymnastics, and other series of events in commemoration of World Physical Activity Day," said dr. Riskiyana.

dr. Bagus Putu Putra Suryana, SpPD-KR, Chairman of the Indonesian Osteoporosis Association (PEROSI), said, "According to research, physically active older people at the age of 60 or above have lower risks of cardiovascular disease, breast, and prostate cancer, fractures, repeated falls, ADL (Activity Daily Living) disabilities, limited body functions, and cognitive decline. They also have a healthier aging process, a better quality of life, and improved cognitive function. Another study showed that people who exercised for an average of 92 minutes per week (about 15 minutes a day) had a 14% reduced risk of death and a longer life expectancy of three years. In contrast, inactive individuals had a 17% increased risk of death. Physical activity or exercise can help the heart pump oxygen and nutrients, increasing blood circulation throughout the body, including joints and bones. A healthy blood circulation ensures proper distribution of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, improves our overall well-being, helps us be ‘Healthy, Active, and Happy’ for a better life."

dr. Bagus Putu Putra Suryana, SpPD-KR, added, "We have to always do physical activity regularly from an early age and consume an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D. It is part of our investment in health to ensure stronger and functional bones even at old age. Lack of movement (sedentary lifestyle), physical exercise, or irregular exercise will reduce pressure on the bones and hinders new bone formation, consequently increasing the risk of bone loss or osteoporosis."

Rhesya Agustine, Marketing Manager of Anlene, Fonterra Brands Indonesia, said, "For more than 20 years, Anlene, the Indonesian Health Ministry, and PEROSI have continued educating people on bone, joint, and muscle health while promoting the Ayo Indonesia Bergerak' campaign initially launched in 2018 to support the government in a battle against the sedentary lifestyle. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Anlene has pushed people to stay active at home through a series of virtual activities for adults and elders. These activities have been consistently implemented to educate people on the importance of maintaining bone, joint, and muscle health from an early age to ensure overall well-being as we grow old."

As part of the 'Ayo Indonesia Move' campaign and to promote a more active, healthier lifestyle among adults and elders, Anlene holds the WEBINAR "Persiapan Puasa Untuk Lansia" in conjunction with Physical Activity Day on April 6, 2021. In the event, Anlene collaborates with the Komunitas Lansia Sejahtera (Surabaya Prosperous Elderly Community) to educate adults and elders on the importance of maintaining bone, joint, and muscle health with regular physical activity, even during the fasting month of Ramadan."

dr. Siti Pariani, MS., MSc., PhD., FISPH, FISCM, Chairwoman and Founder of the Komunitas Lansia Sejahtera Surabaya, said, "It is important to do physical activity and exercise regularly even in the fasting month to prevent osteoporosis, strengthen and nourish our bone, and reduce risks of fractures. Lack of physical activity can lead to reduced bone density, weaker muscle, and stiff joint as we grow older. If you stop doing physical activity, your bone density will decrease with age. For the elders, it is recommended to do physical activity moderately in the fasting month, like walking short distances, cleaning the house, cycling casually, climbing stairs, and gardening. Other than physical activity, the elders need to avoid stress, socialize, and pray to God."

Living a healthy, active lifestyle with a nutritious diet is essential to prevent bone loss or osteoporosis. Protein, calcium, and vitamin D play a crucial role in bone, joint, and muscle health maintenance. These nutrients can be found in daily foods and beverages, such as chicken and egg for high protein, or tofu and milk for high calcium and vitamin D. Alcohol consumption, smoking, or drinking too much coffee and soda should be stopped to ensure proper calcium absorption and new bone formation in the body.

"As a bone health expert, Anlene is committed to improving the health of Indonesians and help them to be ‘Healthy, Active, and Happy’ and ensure a better life. We provide Anlene Actifit and Anlene Gold Plus, high-quality and nutritious milk products specially formulated to meet the Indonesian consumers' needs to maintain healthy bones, joints, and muscles and overall well-being. Anlene Actifit contains high calcium, collagen, vitamin C, protein, vitamin ABDE, magnesium, and iron. Meanwhile, Anlene Gold Plus comes with additional nutrients such as potassium, high fiber, and no added sugar to maintain blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, "concluded Rhesya Agustine.