- Details
- Category: Region 10
2 September 2020, Cagayan de Oro City — One of the most prevalent health and nutrition concerns is obesity. This is a condition that happens when an individual carries excess weight or having an excessive amount of body fat which can affect one’s health. On 21 August 1999, former President Joseph Estrada signed Proclamation No. 162 which declares that every first week of September is Obesity Prevention Awareness Week in the Philippines to promote awareness and actions to prevent obesity.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study reveals that obesity is related to a greater risk of a severe COVID-19 infection. Most of the young adults and older age with obesity appear to be at a particular risk and have the likelihood to be hospitalized with COVID-19, as studies show. Given the extremely high rates of obesity round the globe, we expect that a high percentage of the population who will contract coronavirus also will have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. The World Health Organization defines overweight as a BMI greater than or equal to 25, and obesity greater than or equal to 30.
- Details
- Category: Region 10
3 September 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – On 2 September 2020, the National Nutrition Council Central and Region X offices convened for an online orientation on the pilot run of the eLearning Course on the Training on Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE)-Information Management (IM).
Nutrition Officer III Abigail A. Pabro of NNC CO facilitated the orientation attended by NNC X staff headed by Nutrition Program Coordinator Gladys Mae S. Fernandez and fellow facilitators from NNC CO. Overview of the e-learning course, results of the Training Needs Assessment survey, pilot run operations and ways forward were discussed by NO III Pabro.
The training will be conducted to capacitate local government units on NiE-IM. COVID-19 rendered face-to-face trainings unattainable, thus the translation to online training design. The pilot training on the e-learning course was decided to be conducted in Region 10 areas to mentor the regional office on NiE-IM. Since the activity is a pilot training, it will be facilitated by NNC CO with resource persons from UNICEF, Department of Health and World Food Programme. NNC X will provide support during the training.
A blended learning design will be implemented—online/live forums and offline sessions will be covered for a total of 12 days from 8 September to 12 October 2020 with 3 hours per meeting. Google Meet and Google Classroom will be used as training media.
Invitees from all five (5) provinces, Iligan City, Valencia City, Bacolod and Lala, Lanao del Norte and Maramag, Bukidnon will join the training together with technical staff from NNC X and other participants from non-government units. Each LGU will be represented by their Local Health Officer, Social Welfare and Development Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, Nutrition Action Officer and one nutrition office staff. (NO III Sheena Marie G. Talle)
- Details
- Category: Region 10
12 August 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – The role of our lungs is the exchange of gas known as respiration or breathing. During respiration, oxygen from incoming air enters the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide leaves the blood. A reduced lung function means that its ability to exchange gases has decreased.
Asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and lung cancer are examples of lung diseases. Moreover, having healthy lungs in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis is also very important. Thus, preventive measures must be done to keep the lungs intact.
As early as possible, people should already be mindful of keeping the lungs healthy through healthy diet, and avoiding pollution, exposure to harmful chemicals, and the use of tobacco. The food that we eat can make or break our bodies—the nutrients that we get in food even has benefits to our lungs! Know how to better take care of your lungs through good nutrition:
- Details
- Category: Region 10
25 August 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – The regional officers of the nutrition workers’ associations virtually convened for the 2nd Semester joint regular associations’ meeting last 19 August 2020 via Zoom.
A total of 37 participants including officers from the Nutrition Action Officers Association of the Philippines (NAOPA) Inc., Northern Mindanao Chapter, District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators Association of the Philippines (DCNPCAP), Region X Inc. and National Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation (NaBNS Fed.) Inc., Northern Mindanao Chapter joined the said assembly.
In her opening message, NPC Gladys Mae S. Fernandez reminded the body of the upcoming technical assistance/workshop on formulation of 2021 Annual Investment Program of local government units and to advocate to local chief executives the funding of programs on nutrition, especially activities on the First 1000 Days of Life. She likewise informed the body of the COVID-19 positive BNS from Iligan City and reminded everyone to be cautious and observe infection prevention and control measures.
Read more: NorMin nutrition workers convene online for 2nd semester meeting
- Details
- Category: Region 10
12 August 2020, Cagayan de Oro City – The National Nutrition Council Region 10 (NNC X) succeeded in conducting the Early Childhood Care and Development – First 1000 Days (ECCD-F1K) Program Orientation to the Local Nutrition Committee (LNC) members of Bukidnon Province and the eight (8) recipient Local Government Units (LGUs).
110 participants composed of LNC members and nutrition office staff attended the nine (9) sets of orientation conducted per LGU. Coping with the “new normal”, the orientation was done through either virtual (via Google Meet) or face-to-face upon the LGU’s request.
Read more: NNC NorMin and Bukidnon province pursue ECCD-F1K with rollout orientations
- Details
- Category: Region 10
Did you know? Philippines, is one of the ten (10) countries with the highest number of stunted children in the world. It also ranks fifth among its neighboring countries in the East Asia and Pacific Region with the highest stunting prevalence. These data suggest that most Filipino kids may not achieve their full height potential as adults when this problem remains unresolved.
Stunting as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the impaired growth and development experienced by children due to poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Stunting is a tenacious problem in the Philippines affecting 3 out of 10 (30.3%) Filipino children below 5 years old as shown in the results of the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) conducted by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). The problem on stunting has a potential to break one’s future as it also affects cognitive development of children.
Accompanying jokes such as BFF (below five feet) and excuses like “nasa lahi na namin ang pagiging pandak” are myths and misconceptions on stunting that need correction. Health and nutrition workers, people involved in nutrition action and even citizens must recognize that stunting is a problem beyond one’s short stature.
