BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — A nutritionist highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address adolescent nutrition in the country.
Daisy T. Viray, a registered nutritionist-dietitian at the Benguet State University, emphasized the interconnectedness of emotional well-being, cultural practices, and environmental factors in shaping the dietary habits of Filipino teenagers in this changing world.
During the webinar ‘Bridging the Gap in Adolescent Nutrition’, Viray underscored the critical role of emotional health in adolescent eating behaviors. She noted that many teenagers turn to food as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, and body image concerns.
“Marami silang worries, iyong mukha nila, kung anong itsura nila, kung ano susuotin nila and this change also affects what they eat.”
“Many teens use food to cope emotionally in different ways, such as iyong stress eating, eto iyong they just get bags of chips or bibili ng chocolates when they feel overwhelmed. So usually, nakikita natin ito during exams, or maraming mga requirements sa bahay or sa school, so they resort to foods,” she said.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step in helping teenagers develop a healthier relationship with food.
Promoting Cultural Sensitivity in Nutrition Programs
Viray also emphasized the importance of cultural considerations in designing effective nutrition interventions. The Filipino culture of eating traditional meals plays a vital role in shaping food choices. However, she acknowledged the growing influence of social media and global food trends, which often overshadow traditional Filipino diets.
She called for health programs to respect and incorporate cultural practices to enhance their relevance and effectiveness.
As a nutrition educator, she is a firm believer of culture playing a big role in food choices.
“In our culture as Filipinos, eating together is very important. Hindi magiging masaya ang okasyon kung walang adobo, pancit or pinikpikan. For example, sa atin sa highlands and they’re not just meals, they’re part of celebrations and family traditions. Today, many Filipino teens see new food trends in social media. So parang ang dating is mas naa-appreciate nila iyong mga food trends compared doon sa food and culture natin, which are very different from traditional Filipino meals,” Viray said.
Also, there are different ideas of body image. In some Filipino communities, having a little extra weight is a sign of beauty and being taken care of. In other places, teens want to be very thin because of modern trends and influence.
Combating Food Insecurity Amidst Climate Change
Viray addressed the alarming impact of climate change on food security and its disproportionate effect on Filipino adolescents. With changing weather patterns disrupting local agriculture and fisheries, access to fresh and nutritious foods is becoming increasingly challenging. She warned that this scarcity could lead teenagers to rely on cheaper, less nutritious options, contributing to both undernutrition and obesity.
“Climate change is also making food insecurity worse, by changing which foods are available and ating mga teenagers are considered vulnerable. It’s harder to find or buy healthy foods considering din na iyong ating teenagers need nutrients to support their growth and development.”
“For example, ganito ulan ng ulan, so nasisira iyong mga farms and fisheries natin, kaya mas mahirap ang access natin ng fresh foods, fishes and kung meron man expensive siya or scarce din. So as a result, ang ating mga teenagers they rely on cheaper and less nutritious foods which can lead to undernutrition or paradoxically overweight if those foods are high in unhealthy fats and sugars.”
Empowering Schools, Families, and Communities
To create a supportive environment for adolescent nutrition, Viray is pushing for a collaborative effort involving schools, families, and communities
She stressed the role of schools in providing nutrition education, families in promoting healthy eating habits at home, and communities in advocating for policies that make nutritious food more accessible and affordable.
She also encouraged open conversations about body image, promoting home cooking, and educating teenagers about media literacy.
“Adolescent nutrition is not just about avoiding junk food; it’s about creating an environment where young people are truly nourished in both body and mind,” she emphasized.
The webinar conducted by the Baguio City Health Services Office aims to address the rising prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents and the importance of integrating mental health support into nutritional programs. **JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR
