“Baboy” or “Elefante” are perhaps two cruelest words to describe a fat or obese person. It is sometimes the cause of trouble when the person alluded to reacts. When I organized the Governor’s Cup Kiddie Run in Iloilo City three years ago, I stressed the importance of physical activity to combat a losing battle against the computers or the television set. Of course obesity is now one of the major concerns in the United States. A survey said some 30 percent of American kids are obese owing to no physical activity while spending more than 4 hours either in front of the television, a computer or playing video games. Sundays are mostly spent in the malls. Meanwhile here in the Philippines the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) reported that 86 percent of students in selected Manila high schools (aged 11-18) are physically inactive and prone to diseases. Have you heard of a 20-year old who died of a heart attack? In that Iloilo Kiddie Run co-sponsored by SM City. Tess Sy Coson, a top SM honcho said she liked the concept and wanted me to bring the event nationwide. She said obese kids are candidates for diabetes and heart-related ailments. The FNRI study also showed that frequent activities of high school students are watching television, playing video games and just sitting down or chatting with friends during lunchtime. During weekends 30 percent of the students do not perform physical activity while only 14 percent engaged in physical exercise like playing basketball and volleyball.
Rise In Obesity
The study also said that the rise in obesity among adolescents (aged 11-19) was from 3.4 percent to 4.9 percent among males and from 3.8 to 4.8 percent among females. It was concluded that people become obese when they spend more hours watching TV and video (genes also play a part). It’s common knowledge that when you watch a movie or sit on a couch to watch TV, you always have a popcorn or junk food to go with a Coke. Obesity also causes low self-esteem and will lead to depression in the later years. FNRI suggests spending less time in front of the boob tube while engaging in physical activities benefits the person’s bone and cardiovascular health, muscular strength and endurance and flexibility. Meanwhile in New York City, fast food chains that have more than 15 restaurants including MacDonalds, Starbucks, Dominos Pizza and TGI Friday’s have been ordered to publish calories content of their meals. The move by City Hall was to combat the rise in obesity in New York City that showed 21.7 percent of its population was obese. In another study major fast food chains represent more than a third of all meals served in the city, and on average their meals exceed by 300 calories or sometimes double-the 750 calories per meal recommended by nutritionist. Ten Million meals are served in New York City each month. So before you get into a fight after being called “baboy” fight obesity.
King And Queen Of The Road
Mendel Lopez and Leszl Gitaruelas continue to rule the road this year. In last Sunday’s Mandaue City Inter-Barangay 10K Run Mendel and Leszl topped their respective divisions. Mendel repulsed the challenge of the Delposo brothers Eugene and Joel while Leszl sprayed dust on Mary Jane Beboso and Madelyn Carter. Leszl has so far won 4 races this year after winning 16 last year while Mendel won 3 in a row. But the winning time is again a big question mark, 28 minutes and 23 seconds. I just hope “dili masuko si” Vertek Buenavista who holds the 10K RP record of 29:30.