author: Jund Rian A. Doringo
Science Research Specialist, FNRI-DOST
The 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) revealed that 4.3 percent or about 4 in every 100 newborns to five year-old children are overweight for their age.
A child is overweight-for-height if the weight is much greater than that of normal children of the same height.
Although the prevalence of overweight children belonging to this age group is still low, it has been steadily increasing since 1989.
Some of the highest prevalence of overweight children five years and below include Ilocos (or Region 1) with 6.3 percent, National Capital Region (NCR) with 6.2 percent and CALABARZON (or Region IV-A) with 5.9 percent.
Unused calories from excessive eating and sedentary lifestyle result to being overweight. Overweight is one of the leading causes of lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, strokes, muscle and bone disorders, and certain cancers.
A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition in 2010 showed that 43 million children, 35 million of which are in developing countries, were estimated to be overweight and obese, while 92 million were at risk of being overweight.
Worldwide prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased from 4.2 percent in 1990 to 6.7 percent in 2010.
The tenth statement of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF), “For a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise regularly, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcohol beverages”, focuses on behavior modifications for a healthy lifestyle. The NGF are primary recommendations to achieve good health and proper nutrition of Filipinos which were developed by a team of experts led by the FNRI-DOST.
This guideline aims to encourage people, as well as children, to engage in physical activities through brisk walking, jogging or playing sports, and to turn away from unhealthy vices such as smoking and excessive alcoholic beverage consumption.
For more information on food and nutrition, please contact:
Dr. Mario V. Capanzana
Director
Food and Nutrition Research Institute
Department of Science and Technology
Bicutan, Taguig City
trunkline: 837 2071 local 2296 or 228
telephone/fax no.: 837 3164
email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph
JUND RIAN A. DORINGO
Science Research Specialist
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That is true and more children are suffering from diabetes too. That is why I see to it that my son don't get overweight because diabetes run in our family. Thanks for this info mommy!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, rate of overweight in kids is not getting higher. Parents must be cautious on this matter because it can lead to some complications. Also, cases of heart attacks at young age is increasing. Before, they said that diabetes in hereditary, but now lifestyle is considered as one. There are already kids having the said condition because of their lifestyles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this info!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the reasons why I encourage my daughter to be active and play outside the house...so she can get some exercise and avoid being overweight....
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's sad. We should encourage our kids to get into sports talaga.
ReplyDeleteTrue and very saddening. It's a good thing that my kids are just on their normal weight bracket. Thank you for this article sis..:)
ReplyDeleteAww, not so good of a news but true...I think it could be because there are parents who are always in a hurry, thinking of healthy meals is not always an option :/
ReplyDeletei agree, but at least there's still hope for as long as parents will start their kids in teaching them proper nutrition and physical activities while they're young and still can.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually a big issue in US,that's why I keep an eye on my boys diet even at their young age.
ReplyDelete