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This November 7, we are observing the National Food Fortification Day as mandated by Executive Order 382 which aims to advocate and promote food fortification to address micronutrient deficiency. Food fortification is defined by the Codex Alimentarius as “the addition of one or more essential nutrients to food, whether or not it is normally contained in the food, for the purpose of preventing or correcting a demonstrated deficiency of one or more nutrients in the population or specific population groups. A famous example is Iodized salt which is table salt fortified with Iodine to address Iodine deficiency that causes goiter, cretinism and mental retardation. Salt Iodization is mandated by the ASIN LAW or Republic Act 8172: “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for other purposes”, signed into law on 20 December 1995.
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This November, we are observing the 2021 Malaria Awareness Month to continue promoting Malaria awareness, prevention and control with the theme: “Reaching for Zero Malaria”. Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by the genus Plasmodium that attacks human red blood cells leading to anemia in the long term and other complications which can lead to impaired physical and mental growth and development in children and maternal morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. It is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes from endemic areas especially during “kaingin” activities in farmlands.
Worldwide, Malaria is considered as the world’s most important tropical parasitic disease. In the Philippines, 2,932 confirmed indigenous Malaria cases and 2 Malaria related deaths were reported as of August 2021. Endemic areas include several areas in Region IV-B, Bataraza and Brooke’s Point in Palawan and Sultan Kudarat as of 2020. Malaria used to be an endemic infectious disease in Marilog and Paquibato districts in Davao city until DOH declared Davao as Malaria-free in 2019. This success was attributed to prevention and intervention programs using “new technologies, use of insecticide-treated nets, early detection malaria suspects; case surveillance and follow up of last cases, and effective treatment”.
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“All children have rights and those rights must be protected” - Novak Djokovic
This November, we are celebrating the National Children’s Month with the theme: “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan”. This is mandated by R.A. 10661 also known as the National Children’s Month Act signed in 2015 which aims to commemorate the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. Based on the convention, children are entitled to the following rights regardless of sex, race, citizenship, religion, and social class:
1. Right to be born well.
2. Right to have a wholesome family life.
3. Right to a versatile development of character.
4. Right to have basic living essentials such as nutritious foods, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and other necessities.
5. Right to be in an atmosphere where personality can be enhanced.
6. Right to be well-educated and develop basic learning skills.
7. Right to play and do recreational activities during the child’s leisure hours.
8. Right to be protected and carried away from abusive individuals.
9. Rights to live in a stress-free and negative environment.
10. Right to be looked after when parents or guardians fail to sustain fundamental needs.
11. Right to be led by a genuine and sincere government for better well-being.
12. Right to age in a surrounding filled with love, tranquility and appreciation.
Read more: Nutrition is a Right! NNC Davao Observes the 29th National Children's Month
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Davao region was once an endemic area for Lymphatic Filariasis. In 2019, Davao was considered Filariasis free - which is a result of effective prevention, awareness and eradication campaigns which led to this success. This November, NNC Davao in its observance of the Lymphatic Filariasis Awareness Month, is joining the Health Department in continuously promoting awareness and preventive efforts against Lymphatic Filariasis.
Lymphatic Filariasis is also known as elephantiasis which is a parasitic infection by roundworms such as Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi which are transmitted through mosquitoes. The parasites can be from reservoir hosts such as cats or infected humans which the mosquito ingests when they take a blood meal. The parasites are transmitted to another person through an infected mosquito. Once inside, the parasites develop into mature worms and lodge into the lymphatic system which usually drains excess fluid from the extremities. Once these draining systems are blocked, it causes edema or swelling of the extremities and in chronic cases - severe swelling of the extremities which leads to elephantiasis. Elephantiasis can be disfiguring or debilitating and may affect an individual’s mental health and livelihood. Thus, this condition must be prevented and treated early to prevent these consequences.
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Lung Cancer is the top 1 cause of death in the Philippines and is also the top 1 most frequent cancer in males and top 4 most frequent cancer in females as of 2020. Most of these cases are attributed to smoking and other dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors. This is why we are observing the Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November with the theme: “Kaalaman sa Kanser sa Baga Palawakin, Pag iwas at Lunas Ating Alamin”.
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer due to the presence of cancer-causing substances in the combustion of tobacco from cigarettes. This can be aggravated by eating carcinogenic foods from the diet and exposure to other carcinogens from the environment such as asbestos, silica fibers, diesel fumes, air pollution, chromium, nickel, cobalt, cadmium, arsenic, or ionizing radiation. Cancer risk can be reduced by limiting exposure from these substances. The following are 10 nutrition tips on dietary factors that may help reduce lung cancer risk:
1. Stop smoking or avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. Cigarette smoke contains cancer-promoting substances that may cause DNA damage and give rise to cancer cells that may grow uncontrollably and hinder the function of other organs in the body. Smoking cessation and avoidance of secondhand smoke is the number one preventive measure for current smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke.
2. Limit intake of red meats and processed meats. A 2020 study has shown that “high intake of red meat has been linked to increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer”. Red meat has been classified as probably carcinogenic and processed meat as carcinogenic. This is due to the release of harmful heterocyclic amines and polycyclic hydrocarbons when cooking processed meats. Thus, avoid or limit intake of processed meats and red meats. Lean poultry, fish, beans and legumes are healthier alternatives.
3. Limit intake of high-fat foods especially those high in saturated fat. Intake of high fat foods are associated with higher lung cancer risk. They include fried foods that are either prepared with saturated fats such as butter, lard or margarine. They are associated with promoting oxidative stress inside the body and contribute to overweight and obesity thus limiting intake may help reduce lung cancer risk.
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Do you have a child who is a picky eater or were you once a picky eater as a child? Have you ever forced children to eat food or experienced being forced to eat food? If yes, how do you feel about that certain food item now as an adult? Forced feeding or forced consumption is defined as: “a situation where an individual (parent, caregiver, relative, friend or acquaintance) forced/demanded that you consume a specific substance such as food or beverage against your will”.
In a 2002 study by Batsell et al., the most common “forced” substances are vegetables (49.5 %), red meat (15.9 %) and seafood (7.5 %), fruits (6.5 %), milk, dairy and pasta. One factor that would influence a child to eat is neophobia or the unwillingness to consume a new food item and it would take 10 exposure trials before the child begins to accept the novel food. This could be aggravated by taste dislike and negative social situations such as punishing children if they do not eat the food. On the other hand, parents or caregivers justify their actions by saying “it's good for you”, “try something new”, “avoid wastefulness”, “child was too skinny” which aims to just increase the child’s size instead of improving their overall health. Even though the objective is to teach children to eat new food or vegetables - force feeding with punishment, humiliation or using another food as a reward is an ineffective way of teaching healthy food practices in children because it will cause a negative association with food which can be carried on up to adult life. In the same study, 72% of the respondents reported that they would not willingly eat the target food today as an adult. This could be detrimental if that individual develops rejection of a whole food group such as fruits and vegetables due to negative childhood experiences.
