NNC pushes healthy lifestyle on occasion of Nutrition Month

BAGUIO CITY – National Nutrition Council Cordillera director Rita Papey urged regional constituents to focus on their health through proper nutrition, diet, exercise and avoid  harmful vices like smoking, drinking alcoholic drinks and doing illegal drugs.

On occasion of Nutrition Month Papey told a press conference at the Philippine Information Agency grounds here Thursday NNC objectives this year include increasing awareness on importance of healthy diets, help the public distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods, encourage the food industry including farmers, manufacturers, distributors and food establishments to produce healthy foods.

Another program, Papey said, is advocacy for enactment of national and local laws for healthy diets. Nutrition Month is themed this year: “Healthy diet, gawing habit for life!”

 With the theme “Healthy diet, gawing habit for life!” the celebration aims to contribute to the reduction of overweight, obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. On the other hand, poor nutrition as a consequence of unhealthy diet can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity.

Based on the 2008 National Nutrition Survey and  2013 National Nutrition Survey Facts and Figures of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology,  vegetable intake was noted to be on a decreasing trend, but slightly increased from 110 grams in 2008 to 114 grams in 2013.

Fruit intake was observed to be on a declining trend with notable decrease of 13 percentage points from the 54 grams intake in 2008.

Compared with 2008 food consumption data, there was a lower intake of rice, fish, fruits, sugar and syrup and tubers while a higher intake of vegetables, eggs, poultry, meat and its products, milk and its products was recorded in 2013. There was a lower intake of rice and fish while vegetable was higher. Increases were also noted in the intake of milk, eggs, meat and poultry in 2013.

Daily Nutritional Guide Pyramid for Filipinos is a pictorial guide educating consumers on the proper amounts of servings to be consumed per day, emphasizing on the principle of eating a variety of foods.

This guide shows foods to be eaten the most to the foods to be eaten the least, starting from the base of the pyramid to its peak. The peak of the pyramid includes fats, oils, sugar and sweets, which should be eaten least. The second layer includes sources of protein such as fish, meats, poultry milk and cheese. The third layer of the pyramid includes fruits and vegetables. The fourth layer comprises food to be consumed in bulk, including rice and other sources of carbohydrates such as corn, root crops, noodles and bread. Water and advises on healthy lifestyle are added below the fourth layer in order to emphasize their importance as well. Several guides were made for different age groups and life stage, namely toddlers, kids (7-12 years old), teens, (13-19 years old), adults (20-39 years old), elderly, pregnant and lactating.

Aside from the kapihan, activities to be conducted in line Nutrition Month are Nutri-Walk on the 3rd week of July and a nutrition assessment for Regional Nutrition Committee member- employees.

In line with this, the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines – Baguio Benguet Chapter earlier conducted  a  nutrition seminar  last June 8 at the Benguet State University gym in La Trinidad, Benguet  to provide  updates on food, nutrition and dietetics.

The seminar brought together   456 health professionals, health and nutrition workers, barangay officials and nutrition students from North to Central Luzon and some attendees from Manila and Cavite.

Papey discussed innovative ways of celebrating Nutrition Month.

Bella Basalong of the  National Nutrition Council – Cordillera and NDAP-BBC  vice president,   discussed healthy diet as one which includes varied kinds of food and observing the principles of balance and moderation as depicted in the Food Pyramid and Pinggang Pinoy.  

Frances Isabelle Jacalan, Science Research Specialist of the FNRI-DOST,  introduced the influence of genes on susceptibility to diet (genetics) and influence of diet on gene transcription (nutrigenomics) with the long term goal of providing personalized nutrition for the maintenance of individual health and prevention of diet-related diseases.

Donabelle Navarette of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, meanwhile, presented trends on foods, nutrition and dietetics particularly on nutrition support guidelines, protein requirements,  and new innovative nutrition products including fiber supplements.  

Strategic meal planning applications of nutrition concepts to provide fuel for activity, enhance sport performance and promote recovery from exercise were shared by Jeaneth Aro, Nutrition Coach of Nutrifit Phils. She said   food and drugs interact and may affect the intake, absorption and metabolism of the other.

Dr. Romeo Gomez presented the links between the worsening global warming, climate change and environment and their impacts on food and nutrition security.

Dr. Ryan Guinaran’s exhaustive non-traditional discussion of leadership wherever you are and whatever role you assume in life capped the day’s learning sessions.

The activity was co-hosted by the BSU and NNC – CAR.

The NDAP-BBC will continue to hold seminars and other fora not only for its members but also among other nutrition stakeholders while enhancing partnerships with other nongovernment organizations and  government offices. It also conducts assessment of nutritional status, lectures and diet counseling among others.