WV nutrition month celebration kicks off in Iloilo City school

By: Lilibeth A. French

THE regional celebration of Nutrition Month 2019 in Western Visayas will commence on July 1, 2019 at Mandurriao National High School in Iloilo City.

After the flag ceremony of MNHS on Monday, a program will be held with Department of Health 6 Director and Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) chairperson Dr. Marlyn Convocar as guest speaker.

National Nutrition Committee 6 Coordinator Nona B. Tad-y will discuss the theme for this year’s celebration “Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktibo…Push Natin ‘to!,” focusing on nutrition and physical activity for improved nutrition and overall health.

This year’s theme will also be the rallying a call for action to achieve the three primary objectives of the campaign:

• promote the consumption of healthy diets, increased physical activity, reduced sedentary behavior through activities of daily living among individuals and families;
• mobilize various stakeholders to provide an enabling environment to foster physical activity in communities, schools, workplaces and public places; and
• advocate for the integration of nutrition and physical activity in relevant national and local policies.

To promote physical fitness during the event, RNC 6 member agencies together with NNC 6 have prepared activities such as Zumba and games.

Other activities include lecturettes on the use of iodized salt and Pinggang Pinoy by the Department of Science and Technology 6 and distribution of Weekly Iron Folic Acid and deworming tablets by the Department of Education.

Pursuant to Presidential Decree 491, Nutrition Month is celebrated in the country every July to create greater awareness among Filipinos on the importance of nutrition.

The annual celebration also aims to trigger actions that will lead to long-term measures towards having a healthier and sustainable food systems and increased physical activity for better health among Filipinos. (PIA)