HEALTHY BODIES, THICK WALLETS

A Manulife Singapore survey sheds light on why those who eat healthy are likely to be good at saving money.

- Tan Ooi Boon

If you want to know whether a prospective spouse or business partner is diligent in managing money, just look at their lifestyles, such as whether they watch what they eat and how frequently they exercise.

A unique survey by Manulife Singapore that focuses on both wealth and health has found that those who actively save and invest for their retirement also take extra care to watch their weight and general well-being because they know that serious illnesses in old age will set them back financially.

While many financial institutions have in recent years also emphasised the importance of personal well-being in retirement planning, the Manulife Asia Care survey has taken a deep dive to uncover how far some 1,000 Singapore consumers would go to stay healthy for as long as possible.

For instance, the survey found more than half of them would watch their weight diligently as this was the simplest health check everyone could do daily. To achieve their target, these weight watchers would ensure their food contained less salt, sugar and saturated fat.

Other than weighing scales, 44 per cent of them were likely to own battery-operated gadgets that allowed them to monitor their blood pressure and heart rate at home.

When these people went for their regular health screening, the result they usually paid attention to first was their cholesterol level, as this would determine whether they could reward themselves with a rare feast or be stuck on a strict diet for the next few months.

There is still room for improvement though - all of us should try to have a more balanced diet so we do not end up compromising on nutrition by always consuming only certain classes of food.

With more focus on mental well-being nowadays, especially in the workplace, about 43 per cent of surveyed workers here were more conscious of having a better work-life balance.