PH Nutrition month

Every year in the month of July, the country celebrates National Nutrition Month every July, pursuant to Presidential Decree 49, the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, signed on June 25, 1974 urging Filipinos to consider the nation’s many nutritional concerns.

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) leads the nationwide launching of Nutrition month this year with the theme, “Batang Pinoy, SANA TALL… Iwas stunting, SAMA ALL! Iwas ALL din sa COVID 19!

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being of an individual and not the absence of a disease; and nutrition is an input and foundation for health and development.

Nutrition and exercise are the most important factor in keeping good health. Without both factors, one would look pale and dull. There are many reasons why exercise and good nutrition are good for people at every age and it is better to teach children at an early age to develop healthy habits.

Healthy nutrition is basically eating wholesome and balanced food from all the basic food groups. It drastically improves physical health and allows one to feel better. Health nutrition does not mean strict diet or giving up certain foods. It is limiting fattening and harmful foods.

Eating wrong could be deadly, exercise, however, makes the heart happy, which is also the hardworking part, pumping blood everyday of our lives. It also reduces the risk of heart attack; help your body manage blood sugar and insulin levels; and improves mental health and mood.

Better nutrition means stronger immune system, better health and less illness. Healthy children learn better, healthy people are more productive.

It is a crucial time, perhaps we rethink nutrition not just an annual celebration for essay writing contests and poster-and-slogan making competitions but as an issue that must be addressed that affects our present and future situations.