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Since Covid-19, there has been a dramatic shift in consumers' mindsets globally towards healthier lifestyle habits. Global digital market research company, Borderless Access, set out to find out what South Africans changed about their lifestyles and how food and beverage companies can help support consumers.

Renewed focus on health and fitness

Many South Africans used the weeks of lockdown as an opportunity to reset their health and fitness routines.

Of the 300 South Africans surveyed, 74% said they now consider health and fitness to be very important with eating healthily and exercising being placed at the top of their list of healthy habits. This was followed by eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water and more home-cooked food.  

“Covid-19 and the lockdowns over the last year definitely inspired South Africans to focus on being healthy and fit,” says Bev Tigar Bassett, AVP - Business Development at Borderless Access. “The most common changes we found people made during the pandemic was introducing home workouts into their routines and eating more healthily.”

Almost two-thirds of consumers globally have become more health- and hygiene-conscious as a result of the pandemic. The Middle East certainly leads this trend with over three-quarters of Saudi and UAE consumers feeling an increased awareness of the need to look after their physical well-being.

A recent study conducted by Borderless Access about the impact of COVID-19 on future healthcare consultation scenario, including pre-travel healthcare consultation, found that patient behaviour and habits were significantly varied from country to country. This highlighted the notable influence of culture and social and economic realities on behaviour related to personal health.

In a recent online study conducted by Borderless Access about changing healthcare consultation scenario, including pre-travel healthcare consultation due to COVID-19, we found that patient behaviour and habits were significantly varied between respondents in the UK and Germany. This highlighted the notable influence ‘culture’ has on behaviour related to personal health.