As part of the 39th Nutrition Month celebration in the region, the National Nutrition Council-NCR together with the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines (NDAP) conducted a Nutrition Forum for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) focusing on the theme of the 39th Nutrition Month, “Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan!”. The forum was held at the Valenzuela City Social Hall on July 12, 2013 and was attended by 180 BNSs from all over Metro Manila and some members of the Regional Nutrition Committee. Two main topics were discussed at the forum, namely “BNSs Kontra Obesity” and “BNSs Laban sa Gutom”.

The increasing percentage of children and adults who are overweight or obese is now a challenging problem in Metro Manila. There is a need for the BNSs to have a clear understanding on how to fight this form of malnutrition. NDAP Speaker Ms. Maria Bernadette G. Platon, Associate Dietitian of University of Sto. Tomas Hospital and Vice-President of the Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE), discussed how to assess if a person is overweight or obese, the consequences of overweight and obesity and how this form of malnutrition can be controlled, managed and prevented. Ms. Mary Grace P. Tamayo, BNS of Mandaluyong City and Treasurer of the Federation of BNSs in NCR, Inc. shared their city’s efforts in promoting healthy lifestyle to fight overweight and obesity.

The second part of the forum focused on hunger and how the BNSs can help address this problem in their communities. Nutrition Officer III Ana Maria B. Rosaldo of the NNC-Nutrition Information and Education Division (NIED) explained what hunger really is and how it can affect not just the well-being of an individual but also the economy of our country. She also discussed the policies and current nutrition and hunger-mitigating programs. She ended her talk by asking everyone to stand and pledge their commitment to end hunger and malnutrition.

To emphasize the importance of physical activity in having a healthy weight, a Zumba instructor led the crowd in a 30-minute Zumba dance exercise which was gamely participated in by the BNSs and guests. Ms. Concepcion “Ching” Benosa, BNS of Makati City and President of the Regional BNS Federation, ended the forum by thanking the NNC-NCR for continuously empowering the BNSs and her fellow BNSs for attending the event and actively supporting the different nutrition activities in the region.

Indeed, much is needed to be done to end hunger and malnutrition but much can be done if all sectors of society will work together.