Health preservation priorities vary across countries

It is important to recognize that preservation-focused physical and mental health and well-being priorities look very different across markets. Within the below chart, there are interesting nuances to note. Notice the fluctuated ranking of sleep, where it is ranked a critically important priority for consumers in China and a lagging priority for consumers in Italy. Mindfulness is highly prioritized in South Africa, yet not so much in Australia, where it is ranked “not important at all.” This highlights the need to understand the differences that have and will continue to emerge in the are of a consumers’ physical and mental health and well-being. Awareness of these local intricacies will enable companies to gain granular focus and map strategies to build a better connection to the preservative wellness journeys of consumers.

Feeding the need for self-care with food as medicine

More and more, preservation-focused needs are being met with self-care regimes that involve leveraging food as medicine. With the growing need to control stress and anxiety, a number of brands are tapping into holistic, functional foods to help consumers manage their mental health. For example, the U.K.-based brand, “Sleep well Milk” touts the botanical power of valerian to help individuals relax. The brand’s global popularity is set to grow with its expanded launch into Asia later this year. In another instance, Twinning’s has launched its “Live Well” range of tea in Australia and New Zealand. The product line is said to assist in key functions such as: Defense, Sleep, Digestion, Refresh and Focus.  

There are certainly many drivers of growth within care-oriented foods. In fact, within the US, sales of products supporting a “food as medicine” function have increase 13% since 2019.

A rising tide of attention on mental health

Global living conditions of the last two years have intensified mental health struggles for people around the world. According to NielsenIQ’s Future Pulse Survey (Q2 2021), 35% of global consumers state that COVID has had a negative impact on their mental health and 23% believe COVID has negatively impacted their physical health.

Mental health is having more than just a moment. It should now be seen as a major consideration factor within the consumer health and wellness equation. Today’s mental health movement is driving de-stigmatization efforts and spreading awareness around the importance of advocating for self-care. And while mental health is an issue that impacts consumers across all age groups, genders and race, it is important to keep an eye on consumer segments who have experienced a particular level of social or economic pressure over the past 2 years.

Keep a close watch on elder millennial mental health needs – a generation subset who now are facing early/mid-life career pressures amidst a pandemic, caring for kids and also for their aging generation of parents. Be keen to the needs of children, who are experiencing continuous disruption to their core developmental years. Another cohort to pay attention to are women across the world, who continue to deal with the combined pressures and stress of career and familial responsibilities.

Obesity: the epidemic within a pandemic

Homebody lifestyles borne out of the COVID-19 pandemic haven’t helped curb the global fight against obesity. While there are granular, longer-term, aspirational needs aligned to obesity (such as sugar and fat content in products) much of the world continues to struggle intrinsically with healthy weight management.

In countries around the world, governments are using regulatory measures to encourage businesses to reformulate product portfolios and give consumers greater access to information to make healthy choices. In 2016, Chile led the charge in requiring black warning labels shaped like stop signs on packaging to highlight food and drinks exceeding limits for sugar, salt, saturated fat or calories. The nation also implemented bans on child-directed marketing strategies, restricting the advertising of junk food during prime-time hours. Since then, other global markets have since followed suit with like-minded regulations and labeling laws. All have been put into motion with the goal of helping consumers make healthier choices and curbing the obesity epidemic. 

Preservation health needs are being challenged by food insecurity around the world

According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), every day, more than 700 million people (8.8% of the world’s population) go to bed on an empty stomach. Policies and company actions need to prioritize and empower areas where it is difficult to buy or afford healthy, fresh foods. According to a recent NielsenIQ global survey, not only do a majority (72%) of surveyed global consumers feel that companies have a big role to play in the availability and access of healthy food for all, but many (63%) would be more likely to buy from companies with a strong health mandate across their whole portfolio. In both instances, consumer sentiment on food insecurity and company mandates is strongest among those who have been the most financially constrained or cautious throughout the last two years.

Take a deeper look into the global consumer health and wellness revolution

Understanding how consumers’ preservation-focused health needs are being met is only part of the story. The opportunity for companies looking to meet and exceed the growing expectations of wellness-minded consumers is to figure out where your brand fits and sits along the entire hierarchy of health and wellness needs. Our Global Health and Wellness report takes a deep dive into how consumer needs have been reshaped around the world, what is trending, and what the budding opportunities are across the new, broadened spectrum of global well-being.