Siquijor Province - Did you know that obesity is a rising health concern that leads to chronic conditions that can lower the quality of life?  

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the last 20 years, heart disease has remained the leading cause of death in the world and is still killing more people than ever before. Global health estimates in 2019 showed that the Philippine is the worst in Southeast Asia wherein 100 out of every 100,000 Filipinos die because of coronary heart disease.

Research found out that cases of obesity had increased during the pandemic. COVID- 19 uprooted lives and disturbed daily routines. Staying at home, which includes working remotely, spending more hours per day in front of gadgets, decrease opportunity for physical activity and proper nutrition and contributed to an increased caloric intake that has led to substantial weight gain among children and adolescents during pandemic.

Losing weight is the obvious solution. It can do wonders for your cardiovascular health. Recent studies show that losing weight can greatly improve heart and vascular health, boost heart function, lower blood pressure, improve metabolism and enhance your sense of well-being.

Here are some of the common measures to lose weight and reduce your risk of chronic health conditions to create heart-healthy environment.

• Eat a heart healthy diet. Adopting a new eating style that promotes a heart healthy diet consists of a combination of different foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Eat fewer processed foods.
• Stay active. Regular physical activity contributes to improved blood pressure, improved levels of cholesterol and other lipids, and control weight. Organize outdoor activities such as cycling, dancing, hiking, gardening or simply doing household chores. It helps burn off the excess calories you can’t cut through diet alone.
• Manage your weight. Discover the simple strategies to help reduce abdominal fat by reducing sugar in your diet.
• Stop smoking. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke are harmful to your heart. Quit smoking is the biggest gift of health you can give your heart and has immediate and long-term health benefits, including living up to 10 years longer. 
• Controlling alcohol intakes. Alcohol consumption has been linked to more than 200 disease and injury conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. There is no safe level for drinking alcohol, so it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether to protect your heart.
• Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep cause flare up the development of cardiovascular disease. Get a healthier and more refreshing night’s sleep.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly. An important way to maintain a healthy heart is for your blood pressure to be checked regularly by your health care provider. There are gadgets available for you to do it yourself too.

Losing weight simply recognize challenges, it takes time and effort and a long-term commitment. Stick to your perspective to a successful healthy lifestyle and the results will be worth it. // ND II Karen F. Abe, RND