TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN- To address the increasing number of obesity in the country, the National Nutrition Council (NNC R-02) commenced its annual celebration of Nutrition Month this July first with a theme “Tamang timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo.”
As stated by the Assistant Secretary of Health and NNC Executive Director Maria-Bernardita T. Flores, there is an increase of overweight cases among adults aged 20 years old and above which climbed up to 15.5 % from 1993 to 2013.
The National Nutrition Council R02 headed by their Nutrition Program Coordinator Rhodora Maestre, initiated a Zumba dance in their celebration of nutrition month as their response in addressing the pressing problem of obesity. Zumba Dance started at 8 o’clock in the morning at Department of Agriculture Gymnasium, Nursery Compound Bagay Road that lasted an hour.
Regional Directors from regional agencies including Cagayan Valley Association of Career Executives (CVACE) and Regional Nutrition Council together with their members participated in promoting this year’s nutrition month celebration theme. A total of 215 members of the agencies attended the said activity.
However, the program kicked-off through a Nutri kalesacade around the city proper where members of RNC and CVACE rode the kalesa painted 10 Kumainments hence, promoting the healthy lifestyle among Cagayanos. The Nutri-Kalesacade gave the people of Tuguegarao City a simple reminder to live a healthy life.
Pinoy Gourmix-the new Pinoy Smart Food was served among the participants after the execution of Zumba Dance to replenish the lost energy and fluids in the body. Thus, ensuring the proper replenishment needed by the body after long hours of workout. Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment and counselling was also conducted after the Zumba for participants to monitor their weight status.
Furthermore, NPC Maestre emphasized that through these activities they can live up to this year’s theme of nutrition month and can encourage Cagayanos to start living a fitter and healthier life as their answer in combatting the cases of obesity in the country.
