Filipinos working harder to be fit

MANILA, Philippines - Are Filipinos going to be healthier in 2015? If last year’s health and fitness trends  detox juices, packaged healthy meals, among others  are any indication, then the answer is a resounding  yes!

“Health and fitness trends will continue to be big this year. As we are bombarded by public awareness campaigns on healthy living, we also work out harder, eat cleaner, and get screened for various illnesses. Many programs will also emerge to support our health and fitness goals,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines, a leading HMO provider in the country.

Some of the health and fitness trends that are expected to attract more Pinoys this year are:

• Exercise and weight-loss programs. According to a report from the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO), three out of 10 Filipino adults are either overweight or obese. To drop the extra pounds and stay in shape, many Pinoys follow fitness programs.

Body weight training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are projected to become the top fitness trends for 2015. Body weight training routines, like push-ups and planking, are accessible to everyone because they don’t require equipment while HIITs are offered in many fitness studios nationwide.

• Yoga. Yoga remains popular this year and is even gaining more male followers, thanks to the number of celebrities who swear by its effectiveness. Aside from stretching the body and sweating the toxins away, yoga helps improve breathing and posture. It also calms the mind which, when done regularly, helps practitioners relax and manage stress.

• Cancer prevention. Cancer is the third leading cause of illness and death in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health. But the disease can be treated in its early stage. To detect cancerous cells in the body or prevent their development, more and more Pinoys submit themselves to cancer screening tests, like colonoscopy, digital rectal exam, Pap smear, and mammogram. More women also request to get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer.

• Alternative medicine. Filipinos are traditionally big followers of alternative medicine, which includes acupuncture, detoxification treatments, and psychotherapy. Now that the practice is getting more recognition from Western medical practitioners, many modern Pinoys are also starting to combine traditional and alternative medicine to treat their illnesses and improve their overall health. This trend is expected to continue well into the new year.

MediCard joins Filipinos in their quest to become healthier this 2015 with its high quality services and state-of-the-art equipment. Its treatment centers provide a wide range of clinical services — from consultations to diagnostics to treatments. It has free-standing clinics in Makati, Ortigas (Pasig City), Eton Centris (Quezon City), Fairview (Quezon City), Alabang (Muntinlupa City), Imus (Cavite), Calamba (Laguna), Sta. Rosa (Laguna), and Cebu City. It also has satellite clinics in big hospitals in Metro Manila, including Asian Hospital & Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Manila Doctor’s Hospital, Metropolitan Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and The Medical City.

The MediCard Lifestyle Center in Makati also offers specialty services apart from medical and dental treatments. It houses a Breast Clinic, which performs mammography, biopsy and surgery; a Natural Rejuvenation Clinic, which offers detoxification therapies and acupuncture; and a Skin and Body Clinic, which provides aesthetic treatments. It is also the home of Surya Fitness & Yoga where practitioners can learn different yoga techniques and relax in a tranquil environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

To know more about MediCard’s programs and services, visit http://medicardphils.com.