DAVAO CITY – The National Nutrition Council 11 (NNC) said that this year’s celebration of Nutrition Month will focus on the problem of obesity in the region.
This year’s theme, “Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo,” aims to raise awareness about the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as to provide adequate information on how to prevent it.
NNC 11 regional coordinator Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson said on Monday that overweight and obesity is a problem of the adults right now.
“In Region 11, the number of obese Filipino adults is somewhat high at 32 percent,” said Ungson.
She added that the prevalence of obesity among children 0-5 years old here in the region is still low at 1 percent compared to other regions.
Last year, the NNC recorded a total of 7,106 children who are considered obese.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obese and overweight children are likely to stay obese into adulthood.
Obesity, the WHO said, may cause non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
It said that the increasing prevalence of obesity is mainly associated with unhealthy eating and low levels of physical activity.
Meanwhile, Ungson urged the offices and local government units (LGUs) to conduct physical activities to entice its employees to observe the ideal weight.
“This year, the NNC really (focuses) on encouraging all local government units, the media, the academe, all other stakeholders, to really focus or encourage them to provide physical activities in school, workplace,” she said.
“With the Civil Service Regulation that we have, offices should conduct zumba exercises,” she added.
They also urged the parents to discourage their children from spending too much time in playing computer games.
Ungson called out the LGU, specifically the Nutrition Action Officers, to review the pending resolution about the non-selling of carbonated drinks and junk food especially in school premises.
“It’s high time for us to review that resolution or ordinance. Maybe enhancing it or modifying it so that it will be manageable,” she said. (davaotoday.com)
