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National Nutrition Council
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) celebrates Nutrition Month nationwide by enjoining Filipinos from all walks of life not only to adopt a healthy diet but emphasizes the need to make it a lifetime habit.
National Nutrition Council
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) celebrates Nutrition Month nationwide by enjoining Filipinos from all walks of life not only to adopt a healthy diet but emphasizes the need to make it a lifetime habit.
With the theme “Healthy diet, gawing habit – FOR LIFE!”, this year’s Nutrition Month aims to raise the public’s awareness and mobilize them towards the reduction of both under- and overnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes in the country.
NNC stresses in its key messages that healthy diet means eating a variety of foods from different food groups in balance and in moderation. Most Filipinos have high intake of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods which are also high in saturated fats, trans fats, refined carbohydrates or sodium. (DOST-FNRI) Yet, 7 in 10 Filipino households do not meet their dietary energy requirements needed for the demands of productivity in school, work or home. This disrupts the metabolic processes, physiological functions and well-being of an individual. With a healthy diet, daily energy and nutritional needs can be satisfied and thus, optimal health is ensured.
Healthy diet also means increased consumption of vegetables and fruits. This call is aligned to address the shifts in the dietary patterns of Filipinos which showed that consumption of vegetables and fruits has continued to decline in the last 35 years. (Source: National Nutrition Surveys of FNRI-DOST) In a global scale, low fruit and vegetable consumption is attributed to approximately 1.7 million (2.8%) of deaths and causes around 14% of gastrointestinal cancer deaths, 11% of ischaemic heart disease deaths and about 9% of stroke deaths. (Source: World Health Organization)
NNC reminds the public that the increased availability of highly processed foods and reduced access to fresh fruits and vegetables all the more make healthy diet a conscious effort. This does not mean making healthy food choices only. For those in the food industry, this entails making available healthier foods through reformulation of products to produce foods that are low in fat, sodium and sugar.
The NNC continues to gather support from different sectors and levels of government in making homes, schools and workplaces as agents in promoting healthy diet. Through the efforts of NNC’s regional offices, various activities along the Nutrition Month theme are conducted nationwide. This includes organizing meetings with our local nutrition workers, local chief executives, media, and other stakeholders, intensifying the promotion of healthy diet through different forms of media and conducting activities that will elicit participation from the public and generate appreciation and action from their part.
NNC reminds the public that actions to support the key messages of the annual nationwide campaign can be implemented the whole year and not only every July. This is anchored on the premise that good nutrition is not only a month-long endeavor but should become a daily habit. To achieve a healthy and productive populace, a commitment into making good nutrition practices a habit is an indispensable requirement.
National Nutrition Council
Republic of the Philippines
Nutrition Bldg, 2332 Chino Roces Avenue Extension
Taguig City
www.nnc.gov.ph
