National Capital Region (NCR) – To address the increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, high intake of fats and sweetened beverages and low consumption of vegetables in the region, the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) through its Resolution No. 3 Series 2017, enjoins its members and all Local Government Units in NCR to serve healthy foods, meals and snacks during meetings, conferences, trainings and related activities.

The resolution was approved during the committee’s meeting held on 09 June 2017 presided by RNC Vice-Chair and PopCom-NCR Regional Director Lydio M. Espańol, Jr.  

The 2015 Updating Survey on the Nutritional Status of Filipinos conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology showed that the prevalence of overweight (28.0%) and obesity (9.7%) among adults 20 years old and above in NCR are both higher than the national prevalence at 24.2% and 6.9% for overweight and obesity, respectively while 9.3% of adults have chronic energy deficiency.  

In the same survey, NCR has higher total food intake when compared with national estimate. Specifically, intakes of fats and oils, fish and poultry, milk and milk products and miscellaneous food items i.e. condiments, spices and sweetened beverages are high in NCR while intake of vegetables is low.   

The RNC believes that serving healthy foods, meals and snacks during above-mentioned activities will help promote healthy diet and curb the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and chronic diseases linked to obesity. (ELF/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)