Region XII

Details: Category: Region 12; Published: 31 July 2017

NM CULMINATION The National Nutrition Council XII spearheaded the celebration of the 43rd Nutrition Month Culminating Activities at Villa Princessita, Koronadal City. The activity highlighted the call to start the consumption of healthier foods and discourages everyone from eating unhealthy diets.

Various contests were held which was participated by the members of the Regional Line Agencies, Local government units, Barangay Nutrition Scholars and elementary pupils from the eight Schools Division offices.

Representatives of DOH XII bagged first place in the Pinggang Pinoy Healthy Meal Cooking Contest, second place was Philhealth XII, DBM XII got third place and fourth place was DepEd XII.

On the other hand, Ms. Virginette Jickain brushed off all other contestants being the winner of Nutri-quiz for BNSs.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture represented by Dakila Sangalang, had taken the limelight after being declared as the winner among the eight participants of Nutri-quiz for Regional Nutrition Committee Members’ category.

Details: Category: Region 12; Published: 11 July 2017

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 10 (PIA)--- The Department of Health (DOH) in SOCCSKSARGEN expressed steadfast support to the goal of the national government through the National Nutrition Council XII in making the public more aware of the importance of good nutrition particularly healthy diet.
Dr. Jebie Aireen Biron, chief of the Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division of DOH XII noted that information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns are helpful in creating greater awareness and making a difference in people’s lives.

Representing DOH XII OIC-Regional Director Francisco Mateo during the recent launching of the 2017 Nutrition Month, Dr. Biron encouraged government employees to take part in this endeavor by maximizing the use of social media.
The official noted that social media is a good avenue in disseminating information in today’s digital age, reaching people from far areas in just a click.

Meanwhile, she emphasized key points in staying healthy.
According to Dr. Biron, one main point in having a good health is by way of loving our self. She emphasized that loving our self is equal to taking good care of our nutrition. Also, the official stated that it is always better to think as a nation.

Details: Category: Region 12; Published: 29 June 2017

Nutrition Cluster in Marawi Siege Koronadal City - The quad clusters of Health of the DOH XII is one of the composite teams of DOH regional offices who were mobilized to augment emergency response to the evacuees of Marawi siege. DOH Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama, Jr. issued a memorandum requesting DOH regional offices in Mindanao to provide emergency response to the internally displaced persons from Marawi City. Medical, WASH, Mental Health and Psychosocial and Nutrition clusters of DOH XII were deployed in Buru-un School of Fisheries and Buru-un Gym in Iligan City. The National Nutrition Council XII, being the lead agency of the regional nutrition cluster and the nutrition staff of DOH XII conducted nutritional assessment among 0-71 months old children particularly the measurement of their mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in the evacuation centers. This will identify who are the severely and moderately acute malnourished children and be provided with proper treatment. The team helped also the NDPs and Barangay Nutrition Scholars in the distribution of micronutrient supplements and complementary food for 6-23 months preschool children.

Details: Category: Region 12; Published: 11 July 2017

2017 Nutrition Month Launching By virtue of Presidential Decree 491, the National Nutrition Council is once again spearheading this nationwide Nutrition Month celebration, with this focal theme: “Healthy Diet, gawing habit-FOR LIFE!”. Now on its 43rd year, it primarily aims to increase awareness on the importance of healthy diet with the stirring trend of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and various types of cancers.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), healthy diet helps protect against all forms of malnutrition including non-communicable diseases and plays an important role in securing that one can be free of any diseases. It also stressed out that 5 keys to a healthy diet include the following: a) breastfeeding babies and young children b) eating a variety of foods c) eating plenty of fruits and vegetables d) eating moderate amounts of fats and oils and e) eating less salts and sugars.

Details: Category: Region 12; Published: 21 June 2017

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 31 (PIA) The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) here will be further strengthening the conduct of salt monitoring in markets, malls and manufacturing establishments in Region XII.

This, according to National Nutrition Council XII regional nutrition program coordinator Arceli Latonio is to ensure that the salt the public consumes contains enough iodine.

Aside from the regular salt monitoring, nutrition action officers from the five cities and four provinces of the region will convene regularly to check on the status of iodized salt consumption and the implementation of the ASIN Law in their respective areas of responsibility.

Latonio noted that the issue on salt iodization must be given attention as this affects the health of the public particularly the children and pregnant women.

The official stated that consumption of salt with low iodine content could lead to iodine deficiency disorders such as goiter, hypothyroidism, cretinism and many others.

She encouraged the members of the task force to continue helping the NNC XII in providing the public with right information on using iodized salt. Latonio is also reminding consumers to only purchase iodized salt with the Saktong Iodine sa Asin Seal.

Meanwhile, the task force is set to further study and consult to concerned agencies the sanctions to those manufacturers and sellers who will be found violating the Republic Act 8172 or the ASIN Law which promotes salt iodization nationwide. (Shahana Joy Duerme-PIA 12)

Details: Category: Region 12; Published: 29 June 2017

childhood obesity KORONADAL CITY - Childhood overweight and obesity have already been primarily considered as one of the eliciting factors that can lead to myriad risks of acquiring obesity-related health conditions such as the non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Though, it may only account the smallest part of the malnutrition’s prevalence rate, this condition should not be ignored.

According to Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), results revealed that in Region XII, the prevalence of overweight among less than five years old children decreased from 3.3 percent in 2013 to 2.8 percent in 2015. On the other hand, it showed a significant increase among 10-19 years old children from 5.7percent to 7.4percent in the same period.
Moreover, data from Department of Education (DepEd) XII revealed that among school-aged children, aging 6-11 years old, it showed that it also increased from 0.39 percent in 2015 to 0.45 percent in 2016. Whereas, among secondary students (11-19 years old) increased significantly from 0.19percent to 0.24 percent for the same school year.
Such concerns of increasing prevalence rate of overweight and obesity will might as well affect the obesity rate of the adults in the future if it continues to rise. As a consequence, it will also be a countrywide or even global concern of increasing the risks for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and risks for certain cancers. And if it persists into adulthood, it will not only affect the quality of life but will also be a public health’s problem.
Present reviews have pointed out that major factors identified that causes overweight and obesity aside from race, gender and socioeconomic status are the unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity.
Today, where high-caloric foods and sugar-sweetened drinks or beverages are almost available everywhere, there is no doubt that it can have an impact on the way the children eat and precipitate them in overweight and obesity. Further, with this internet and information era, they are more engaged in sedentary activities such as television viewing, playing video or computer games and being latently on social media at most time of the day.