BAGUIO CITY – Activities for July as 43rd nutrition month include the tracing and scrutiny of elders’ diets to determine nutritional factors in longevity.
Dubbed as “Knowing my ancestors” program, the brainchild of Poliwes barangay aims for the replication of nonagenarians and centenarians’ diet for the next generation. It is also anchored on the theme, “Healthy Diet, Gawing Habit For Life!”
The diet analysis is initiated by observations of the younger generation having dietary problems, such as being overweight, underweight, stunting or wasting; and adults with health complications.
The program is part of the nutrition month launching this Monday, July 3 during the City Hall flag raising ceremonies, with Mayor Mauricio Domogan, City Health Services Officer Rowena Galpo and other city officials present.
During the month of July, awareness activities to prevent malnutrition, reduce nutritional problems and the spread of non-communicable diseases are being undertaken. Education campaigns for the public to choose health food over unhealthy ones; and farmers, manufacturers and distributors to make available healthier and nutritional options, are also part of nutrition month celebration.
Local and national officials to work for legislation and policies support, to enable healthy diets in communities are also called for.
Search for healthiest Lolo and Lola, side-by-side with Malakas and Maganda, Mr. and Miss Little nutrition and healthy baby contests; school based contests in slogan and poster-making, draw and tell, games and trivia; barangay based contests in backyard/urban/organic gardening are also scheduled, along with vegetable cooking and fruit/salad preparation contests, as well as vegetable eating contests.
Seeds and seedlings for backyard gardeners shall be distributed, with lectures on organic/urban gardening, and tree-planting and clean-ups to be conducted.
Healthy pregnant mother, search for longest breastfeeding mother and distribution of multivitamins, as with weight loss, healthy lifestyle and exercise activities will be done in the barangays.
Dental missions, blood-letting, circumcision, hand-washing lectures are also part of nutrition month celebration, with gift-giving in the communities are part of the celebration .
The highlight of the culminating program at the end of July, is the awarding of Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Best Performing Barangay Nutrition Action Program, Best Performing Nutrition Committee; and Service Awardees. ** juliegfianza
