MARAWI
CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 16 (PIA) --- To address malnutrition problems
in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the region’s
Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) and the National Nutrition Council
(NNC-ARMM) tapped members of the Regional Nutrition Committee to promote
programs on proper nutrition.
Dayang Jumaide, DOH-ARMM
assistant secretary, encouraged members of the Regional Nutrition
Committee to emulate programs such as ‘Pinggang Pinoy’ and ‘10
Kumainments’ in their respective offices.
“These programs will
help combat the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among
children and adults in the region,” said Asec. Dayang.
Pinggang
Pinoy provides consumers with recommendations on the appropriate
proportion of various food groups for a truly healthy and balanced
meal. It was developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute
(FNRI) in collaboration with the World Health Organization, DOH, and the
NNC.
The 10 Kumainments, on the other hand, are
guidelines aimed at promoting positive nutrition practices and encourage
the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.
Data from the National
Nutrition Surveys of the FNRI, the prevalence rate of overweight and
obesity in the Philippines among adults (20 years old and above)
increased from 16.6% in 1993 to 31.1% in 2013. For children aged 11 to
19 years old, the number also increased from 5.8% in 2003 to 8.3% in
2013. For pre-school children (five to 10 years old), from below two
percent (2%) in 1989 to 1998, it went up to 4.9% in 2013.
In
ARMM, the prevalence rate of pre-school children; children aged 11 to 19
years old; and adults are at 2.8%, 5.3%, and 23.2%, respectively.
The
Regional Nutrition Committee is composed of representatives from the
different regional line agencies, offices and bureaus including
non-government and civil society organizations. It was created in 2013
with the primary goal of combating malnutrition prevalence in ARMM
through an aggressive and cohesive delivery of services among concerned
agencies, local government units and other stakeholders. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)
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