Cebu City – With the rise of social media giving hype to food-fads and the increasing trend of food photography, there has been a rise in the consumption of empty-calorie food in the recent years, with adolescents most at prey.

Adolescents, having been bombarded with a wide array of food choices through the social media’s “#foodporn” “#foodography” and other trending food spots are now more vulnerable to the consumption of the so called empty-calorie foods (high fat, high sugar, low nutrient foods). That, coupled with the decline of physical activities gives rise to overweight and obesity leading to an increase in lifestyle diseases among this age group. Hence, it is not uncommon to see a hypertensive, diabetic fifteen years old these days.

With this growing concern, the NNC7 has partnered with the academe and some clinical nutritionists to conduct School-based Healthy Lifestyle Promotion and Weight Management Counselling. This is one of the highlights of the 2015 Nutrition Month Celebration in the region aptly going with this year’s theme “Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo!” to encourage high school students to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The activity included a lecture for the general student population during their flag ceremony, as well as individual, specialized counseling for overnourished teenagers.

The team, which included the chair of the University of San Carlos College of Health Care Professionals and nutritionists from Visayas Community Medical Center and Chong Hua Hospital visited Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial High School (MHS) on 09 July, Ramon Duterte MHS on 15 July, Don Vicente Rama MHS on 20 July and Cebu City National Science High School on 23 July. The team is set go to Talamban National High School on 31 July.