SAN FERNANDO CITY, Feb. 25 (Anne Hazel Flores, PIA1) – With the aim to contribute to the improvement of nutritional and health status of government workers, the Regional Nutrition Council (RNC-1) enjoins government agencies in Ilocos Region to adopt healthy lifestyle programs (HLP) in the workplace.
During the first quarter meeting of the council attended by various regional line agencies (RLAs) and local government units (LGUs) recently, RNC-1, through the National Nutrition Council (NNC-1), encouraged members to institutionalize a HLP through RDC-1 Resolution No. 102 series of 2019.
“This is to prevent increase or reduction of the prevalence of obesity and clinical manifestations on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a result of healthier diets and increased physical activity,” said NNC-1 OIC nutrition program coordinator Kendall Pilgrim Gatan.
“Individuals who are overweight and obese compared to those who are in normal weight range have increased risk of morbidity from hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary hearts diseases, stroke, gallbladder diseases, osteoarthritis and many other health problems including breast, prostate and colon cancers,” he added.
According to the 8th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and technology (FNRI-DOST), adult workers categorized as officials, professionals and clerks have the poorest nutrition and health status.
Further, adult workers also have the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity at 49.6 percent and way higher than the national prevalence among adults at 31.1 percent.
Based on the Philippine Nutrition Facts and Figures of 2015, 42.5 percent the adult population was insufficiently physical active, of which significantly more females at 52.9 percent were observed to be inactive compared to males at 30.1 percent.
Relative to the resolution, HLP activities which may be implemented by government agencies include the organization of regular physical activities such as exercise and dance sessions before or after work, and provision of healthier food environment by making available nutritious and locally-produced food and beverages in the offices’ premises.
Furthermore, utilizing the Pinggang Pinoy as basis in serving meals and snacks during meetings, conferences, trainings and other related activities, making safe drinking water freely available in the workplace, and intensifying the "No Smoking Policy" are some other programs to replicate.
Other activities that may be conducted are nutritional advocacies, assessment of nutritional status (BMI or body mass index), and referral of overweight and obese employees to nutrition clinics or partner with the association or organization of nutritionist-dietitians for individual weight management program.
NNC-1 stressed that there are many other HLPs that may be implemented but will be under the discretion of the government agencies on what programs are deemed complementing to their employees.
The NNC-1 is tasked to monitor whether RLAs or LGUs complies to the approved RDC resolution and shall submit monitoring report in accordance to the annual submission of accomplishments.
Said resolution signed and attested in November 2019 by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Nestor Rillon, acting RDC Vice-Chairperson, is based on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPNA) 2017-2021 along with other programs including Pilipinas Go 4 Health program, National Occupational Health and Safety Policy Framework, and the Promotion of Good Nutrition in Bureaucracy as per Civil Service Commission Memo Circular No. 4 series of 2003. (JCR/AMB/AHFF/PIA 1)
