CEBU, Philippines- The National Nutrition Council-7 will be intensifying its programs for this year in hope to put a stop to the increasing trend of undernutrition among children in Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu.
While the celebration of nutrition month is still a few months away, NNC-7 announced that this year’s theme would be “Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo.”
The theme is in line with the council’s effort to increase awareness on the role and importance of pro-per nutrition and physical activity in the prevention of obesity and overweight.
According to the NNC-7’s Media Informational Network for Nutrition and Development-7 in their 2015 Local Media Plan, malnutrition remains a serious problem in the country in general and Central Visayas in particular.
“Overweight and underweight is a problem. Obesity can lead to a lot of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases,” said Perolita Mission, NNC-7 nutrition program coordinator.
Based on NNC’s 2014 Operation Timbang Plus Results, it indicated an increase in the trend of undernutrition among 0 to 71 months old in Central Visayas with Cebu Province ranking first, followed by Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bohol.
Results also showed an increase in the trend of overweight for 0 to 71 months old in 2013 to 2014, among which the town of Alegria, Cebu has the highest number with 18 pre-school children per 100 pre-school children are overweight.
To address this problem, NNC, through the Regional Nutrition Committee, formulated the Central Visayas Nutrition Strategic Plan 2012-2016 which provides a regional framework on nutrition.
This is anchored on the Medium-Term Philippine Plan on Action for Nutrition 2011-2016. MTPPAN is also anchored on the Philippine Development Plan and the Millennium Development Goals, particularly the goal to address poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
One of these programs is the “Promote Good Nutrition,” which is a component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program.
PGN aims to increase awareness and improve the food and nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of families.
The 2015 Nutrition Month campaign likewise aims to encourage Filipinos to make positive decisions towards consumption of healthy diets and be physically active to prevent non-communicable diseases as a result of overweight and obesity. (FREEMAN)