NEARLY one in six workers reported a decline in their physical health or having significant physical health challenges, with this decline taking a toll on their mental health, according to a recent study. Their mental health scores on the Telus Mental Health Index were 28 or more points below workers who report good physical health.

And despite most workers believing physical activity and good mental health are linked (86 per cent), nearly one-fifth (19 per cent) do not exercise at all. Those who don’t exercise have a score of 54.7 on the index, or over 14 points lower than those who exercise at least four times per week, and nearly seven points lower than the national average.

The study by Telus Health, a provider of health technology services, surveyed 1,000 people between Apr 3 and Apr 13 this year. The respondents lived in Singapore and were either employed at the time of the online survey or employed within the prior six months.