Indians have future health concerns: Nielsen

Nearly half the Indian consumers (48%) are concerned about their health because of the financial implications of falling ill and 41 percent Indian's concern is triggered by future repercussions of having poor health today, according to a recent Nielsen Health & Wellness Consumer Survey. We see that amongst the higher age groups and females, "weight gain' brings about a greater concern for health than does coping with demands. However, the younger age groups are concerned about health when they see some reference points like ads about health issues, sick friend, etc.

"The increasingly hectic lifestyle of Indians is taking a toll on their health, plus the cost of treating an illness has pushed Indians to take proactive steps to maintain their health. Since time is a not a luxury for most Indians today they try to maintain health by controlling food habits," said Arti Verma, Associate Director, Client Solutions, The Nielsen Company.

With growing health consciousness, over half of urban Indians consider themselves overweight. However, despite the weight concerns Dieting is not a health practice that is popular amongst Indians with only 23% having occasionally dieted. 17% of urban Indians are aware of the health indicator BMI.

Nearly five in ten Indians consider Pollution a major factor affecting health. 38 percent Indians believe that bad food habits like consuming junk & oily food and adulterated food have an adverse affect on health and 36 percent believe that bad, irregular habits like consumption of alcohol/cigarettes and lack of exercise & nutritious diet are factors contributing to poor health.

We see a split in attitudes of Indians towards health with 53 percent showing pro-activeness and a slightly lesser 47 percent being passive about their health. According to the Nielsen survey, we notice now more Indians proactively try to maintain health than take care of it when required and try to control food habits and other irregular practices.