According to World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading causes of death globally. One of the risk factors for NCDs is unhealthy lifestyle which includes having an unhealthy diet. Thus, the City/District Nutrition Program Coordinators of Metro Manila Association, Inc. in partnership with the National Nutrition Council-NCR focused on the prevention and control of NCDs in their 2014 Annual Regional Conference with the theme, “Healthy Eating, Healthy Living” - Nutrition: A Life Course Approach to Non-Communicable Disease”.
The regional conference was held at the Robbinsdale Hotel in Quezon City on 14 November 2014 and was attended by 79 C/DNPCs from all over Metro Manila. Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo gave the welcome and opening remarks. She also discussed the Pinggang Pinoy and the 10 Kumainments which can be used as guide in healthy eating and healthy living.
Hon. Virgith B. Bueno, Chair of the Board of Nutrition & Dietetics (BOND) of the Professional Regulation Commission in her keynote address, emphasized that nutrition before, during and after pregnancy should always be a priority. She also encouraged scaling up nutrition especially during the first 1,000 days – from conception and the child’s second birthday – considered to be a critical period wherein the foundation for a healthy life course is laid. She also served as the Inducting Officer during the Oath taking of the C/DNPC Association’s Board of Directors for 2015-2016.
The topics discussed by guest speakers/resource persons who are considered experts in their field were: Nutrition Care Process during Pregnancy ( Ms. Gemma P. Dimaano, Nutrition Consultant from Tokyo Healthlink); Programming in Early Nutrition (Dr. Mianne Silvestre, Neonatologist and President of Kalusugan ng Mag-ina, Inc.); Nutrition Needs during Adolescence (Ms. Soccoro Alma F. Gammad, Nutrition Officer IV of Makati City Nutrition Office) and a motivational talk – “You are Unique” (Bro. Renato M. Si of Feast Builder).
Association President Eileen S. Guevara delivered her President’s Report and their future activities. She challenged the group to do more in 2015. “Let’s all unite our efforts as one Association for a better nutrition!”, Ms. Guevara added. Gauging from the attendance and the positive feedback from the participants, this year’s regional conference was indeed a success. (TAR/MEVF/NNCNCR)
