Region VII

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 04 December 2021

Cebu City - The National Nutrition Council Region VII conducted a two-day 2^nd Regional Management Conference (ManCon) virtually on 02-03 December 2021. The conference was presided by the RNPC Dr. Parolita A. Mission of NNC 7. Present during the conference were the Nutrition Action Officers and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators of the four provinces and 16 cities of Central Visayas as well as the Presidents of the MNAO and MNPC Associations.

The highlights of the first day of the conference included a presentation of LGU updates that covered LNAP 2021 accomplishments, 2022 AIP for nutrition, PPAs integrated in the LGU Devolution Transition Plan (DTP) and 2021 Nutrition Month Accomplishments. In the interest of time, only three LGUs were able to share their respective updates - Siquijor province with DNPC Pamela Dominguez, Dumaguete City by CNPC Giana Alcala and Cebu City by CNAO Emma Seville as presenters, respectively. Highlights of the sampled presentation were the continuation of nutrition services despite the limitation brought about by the pandemic, notable increase of nutrition budget in 2021, inclusion of key nutrition PPAs in the LGU DTPs, and establishment of nutrition offices and hiring of Nutrition Officers or Nutritionist Dietitians.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 03 December 2021

idone Iodine is an essential mineral that our body needs to function properly. The human body requires iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones control the body's metabolism and many other important functions. The body also needs thyroid hormones for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. The body does not make iodine, so it should be an essential part of your diet.

Foods that contain iodine include fish (such as cod and tuna), seaweed, shrimp, and other seafood, dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese). Iodized salt which is commonly sold in grocery stores is a cheap source of iodine. Consuming 1/2 teaspoon of iodized salt per day provides enough iodine to prevent iodine deficiency. The iodine requirement of a pregnant woman increases for the baby’s normal brain development.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 27 November 2021

Cebu City - The barangay is the smallest political unit that plays a big role in the implementation of programs. With the existing devolution, the barangays are expected to perform more and achieve the goals of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, one of the key components of the Philippine Development Plan.

However, a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) as commissioned by UNICEF Philippines found that the barangays have insufficient knowledge of the PPAN 2017-2022, which serves as the framework for tackling nutrition issues at the barangay level. Low or inadequate nutrition budgets at the barangay level is likewise a common source of worry among barangays. For children, nutrition is primarily thought of as food or feeding-related activities. Apart from these concerns, a recurring theme among barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs) at previous conferences and training sessions of Punong Barangays' and members of the barangay nutrition committee's lack of understanding of the importance of investing in nutrition and their roles in the committee.

Not all local government units (LGUs) have functional local nutrition committees. This may be caused by myriad of factors. For some, nutrition is not a priority, budgetary limitations, insufficient human resources, political indifferences, or simply, the local chief executive (LCE) does not know that the program exists.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 03 December 2021

salt and obesity
Cebu Province - Nowadays, especially that we are still in this pandemic, a lot of people lost their jobs, and it is sad to know that many families become food insecure due to the loss of jobs and other opportunities when the establishments they are working were closed.

Food insecure families can only afford to buy dried fish, instant noodles, and ‘bagoong’ which is high in salt content, not knowing that it can cause more health problems to the individual and their family as well.

High salt intake is the major cause of raised blood pressure and thereby increases cardiovascular risk. A study published in American Heart Association journal shows high salt intake is an independent risk factor for obesity. It is well established that high-salt (1 g salt=0.4 g sodium) intake is the major cause of raised blood pressure and accordingly leads to cardiovascular diseases. Recently, several lines of evidence have also shown that high salt intake is associated with an increased risk of obesity. One reason for this association is that high salt intake stimulates thirst and increases fluid intake and thereby increasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. It has been shown that 1-g/d increase in salt intake is associated with an increase in sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption of 27 g/d in children and adolescents. The association between salt and obesity may also be partially caused by excessive consumption of processed food that is high in both calorie and salt. However, increasing evidence suggests that there may be a direct link between salt intake and obesity independent of total energy intake.

Details: Category: Region 7; Published: 25 November 2021

DHA and ARA

Negros Oriental -- During the First 1000 Days of Life, nutrition provides the fuel that drives a child’s early development. Every child needs the right nutrients at the right time to feed his/her brain’s rapid development. When it comes to brain development, breastmilk contains a variety of nutrients. One of these nutrients found in breastmilk is DHA and ARA (2 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) which are responsible for growth and brain development.

DHA or Docosahexaenoic Acid and ARA or Arachidonic Acid are fatty acids that plays important role in the structure and function during the development of the eyes and brain. They help in support learning, visual sharpness, and overall brain development in a child. Aside from breastmilk, they are also found in fishes like tuna and salmon. Generally, when a lactating mother’s diet or meal has more fish, then the higher levels of DHA and ARA in her breastmilk.