Urban Wellness: Combating the challenges of modern living in Asia Pacific
Urban Wellness: Combating the challenges of modern living in Asia Pacific
Rapid urbanisation in recent decades has led to more than half of the global population now living in cities.[1] In Asia Pacific (APAC), the urban population grew faster than in any other region, and Asia is now home to more than half of the world’s megacities and 7 of the 10 most populous cities.[3]
Urbanisation plays an important role in the social and economic development of a nation, giving rise to more opportunities for education, employment and healthcare.[4] However, fast-paced urbanisation has also led to an increase in stressors, affecting both the physical and mental health of urban dwellers.
Negative Impact of Urbanisation
Life in densely populated areas is often filled with constant exposure to noise pollutants, long and exhausting commutes, bright and glaring lights, overcrowded public spaces, and overwhelming challenges of juggling work, family and self-care.[4] With these, urbanisation has brought about significant lifestyle changes, many of which negatively impact health.
Environmental factors, such as climate change, are increasingly impacting the human immune system due to climate-related exposures such as air pollution, extreme heat and severe weather events. These exposures manifest in a broad range of stimuli, including allergens, heat stress, pollutants and microbiota changes, collectively compromising the body’s ability to maintain immune resilience.[5]
Simultaneously, the fast pace of city life contributes to elevated stress levels, disrupting mental health and causing burnout. For some people, chronic stress also leads to stress eating, which often involves increased cravings for empty calories and processed food due to the release of the stress hormone cortisol. This can disrupt healthy eating patterns.[6] Diets high in processed foods can lead to nutrient deficiencies, gut microbiome imbalances, and chronic inflammation, which suppresses the body’s immune function.
With the relentless onslaught of all these stressors, individuals are subjected to a gradual decline in their physical and mental well-being, leading to a rise in health issues such as eye strain, weakened immunity, digestive problems and mental fatigue.
A Nutraceutical Approach Towards Urban Wellness
Urban living, while offering convenience, often puts strains on our health. Stress, sleep disturbances, compromised immune and gut while keeping up with high energy levels and social image are some of the consequences of the fast-paced lifestyle. Recognising this, urban dwellers are looking for holistic wellness, creating an opportunity for a nutraceutical approach to address these urban health challenges.
领英推荐
At IMCD Nutraceuticals, we are committed to empowering individuals to navigate these urban health challenges by offering innovative nutraceutical solutions designed to support overall well-being and help individuals thrive in the face of competition and pressure.
Look out for a series of campaigns for the upcoming year, each dedicated to addressing the key health challenges brought on by urbanisation i.e. eye health, immune health, gut health and cognitive health. Stay tuned as we share insights and solutions to help individuals live healthier in an ever-evolving urban landscape.
Meanwhile, check out our concepts and solutions designed to cater to healthy lifestyles across generations.
Joint and Mobility Health: https://wwwbg6.imcdgroup.com/l/1036583/2024-07-08/37lfk8
References:
1. Cyril, S., Oldroyd, J.C. & Renzaho, A. Urbanisation, urbanicity, and health: a systematic review of the reliability and validity of urbanicity scales. BMC Public Health 13, 513 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-513
2. Chakraborty, TC and Qian, Yun. "Urbanization exacerbates continental- to regional-scale warming." One Earth, vol. AC, no. 8, Aug. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.05.005
3. United Nations. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Urbanization trends in Asia and the Pacific. November 2013. Available from: www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/SPPS-Factsheet-urbanization-v5.pdf
4. Prakash J, Ali T, Chaudhury S, Srivastava K. Declining mental health: An aftermath of fast-paced urbanization. Industrial Psychiatry Journal [Internet]. 2023 Jul 1;32(2):199–201. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_299_23
5. Skevaki C, Nadeau KC, Rothenberg ME, Alahmad B, Mmbaga BT, Masenga GG, et al. Impact of climate change on immune responses and barrier defense. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology [Internet]. 2024 Feb 2;153(5):1194–205. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2024.01.016
6. Harvard Health. Why stress causes people to overeat [Internet]. Harvard Health. 2021. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat