Bulacan observes National Nutrition Month, focuses on obesity

The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has intensified its campaign to prevent high prevalence of obesity in the province with programs and activities that will raise public awareness against this new kind of malnutrition.

Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the observance aims to promote longevity of life of the Bulakenyos and to provide adequate information about the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity in reducing rates of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cancer and common cardiovascular conditions. 

“Ngayon pa lamang ay maging conscious na tayo sa ating kalusugan. Lagi po nating tandaan ang tatlong sulok ng mabuting kalusugan, ang wastong nutrisyon, regular na ehersisyo at disiplina sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay,” the governor said.

With the theme, “Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo,” Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Rowena Tiongson said that the PGB lined up activities and programs to address the problems of poor nutrition and physical inactivity of the Bulakenyos for them to improve their general health through regular exercise, proper choice of foods and self-discipline. 

Activities that are included in the month-long celebration are the Nutrisyon sa Breastfeeding Station on July 8 and the nutrition program inspections in different schools and in the 21 towns and 3 cities in the province on July 7-21.

Prior to this, the PSWDO conducted free diet counseling or a dietary therapy for weight reduction last July 1, 2015 for the PGB employees to improve their general health and well being. 

According to the National Nutrition Survey of Foods and Nutrition Research Institute, the overweight and obesity prevalence among Bulakenyo children ages 6-12 has increased to 2.68% or 6,790 cases from 2.12% in 2013.

The celebration is in accordance to Presidential Decree No. 491 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines that focuses on the nutrition and general health of every Filipinos.