2021 Nutrition Month Theme is Out!
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The NNC Technical Committee has approved the theme for this year’s Nutrition Month campaign – “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!” during its online meeting for the year on 5 March 2021.
The 2021 Nutrition Month theme calls for continued efforts to address malnutrition in the country which is expected to worsen as a result of the pandemic and limited resources for nutrition. The theme calls for all sectors to focus efforts on the First 1000 Days of life as the strategic intervention to prevent stunting and obesity.
Poor diets, failing food systems, and lack of physical activity are causing overweight and obesity in children
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Photo from www.worldobesityday.org/
Joint media release
MANILA, 4 March 2021 – With the Philippines suffering from a triple burden of malnutrition together with other forms of undernutrition (including stunting and wasting), micronutrient deficiencies, along with overweight and obesity, the Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC), FAO, WHO, and UNICEF jointly call upon the public, civil society organizations, academe, and the private sector to take action to prevent and manage childhood overweight and obesity.
According to WHO, overweight and obese children are more likely to stay obese into adulthood and to develop noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. Obese children and adolescents may also suffer from both short-term and long-term health consequences. Factors contributing to the increasing problem of overweight and obesity include poor diets, inadequate nutrition, and failing food systems. In addition, limited physical activity is likewise contributing to the growing problem on overweight and obesity. Prevention remains to be the most feasible option for curbing the childhood obesity epidemic.
NNC Governing Board gives a go-ahead to 2 new policies
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The National Nutrition Council Governing Board (NNC GB) approves two new policies in its very first meeting for the year 2021. Assistant Secretary Alex V. Avila of DOLE presides the meeting. Of the 3 agenda items discussed, two policies were approved: (1) Guidelines on Dietary Supplementation in the First 1000 Days (GDS F1K) and (2) the Joint Memorandum Circular on the National Dietary Supplementation Program (JMC NDSP). These are both essential to achieve the targets of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) for 2022, particular on stunting and wasting. The other agenda for information of the board is the designation/appointment of the Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) adviser in the Philippines.
Read more: NNC Governing Board gives a go-ahead to 2 new policies
Got no pork? Try these alternatives
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Retailers and consumers are struggling nowadays from the expensive production and freight cost of pork. In some areas in Metro Manila, meat traders and vendors went on a pork holiday due to the imposed price cap by the government. Consumers are left with an option to look for alternative protein sources. Protein is a vital macronutrient needed for structural support and physiological functions such as tissue repair and nutrient absorption. One of the few misconceptions on the role of protein in the body is that people tend to link meat with protein and muscle building. Although this is partly correct, overemphasizing meat in the diet may crowd out other equally important food and nutrients [1].
Whether you are finding affordable meat alternatives that fit into your budget or just trying to add more plant-based food in your diet, here are some nutri-tips to get your daily protein needs.