BAGUIO CITY– This year’s Nutrition Month celebration in July will focus on healthy diet.
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, Bella Basalong of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) said.
On the other hand, poor nutrition as a consequence of unhealthy diet can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to diseases, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity.
Basalong reported that 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 a 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.
She said the 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.
Among the activities to be conducted in line with NM 2017 celebration in the region are a kapihan forum on July 6, a Nutri-Walk on the 3rd week of July and a nutrition assessment for Regional Nutrition Committee member-employees. **PIA CAR
