Cases of Obesity, Overweight Increase in CAR

Baguio City – Rita Papey, National Nutrition Council – Cordillera Regional Office (NNC-CAR) Nutrition Program Coordinator on Thursday, July 21 expressed her alarm about the increasing number of obesity and overweight cases in the region.

Papey said malnutrition refers to both under and over-nourished individuals who must be given attention to enable them to embrace good nutrition practices.

Records show that 6 out of 100 pre-schoolers are obese, higher than the national average of 5 for every 100 pre-schoolchildren.

Also, 7 out of 100 school children are obese compared to the 5 out of 100 children national obesity average.

Out of 100 adolescents, there are 11 obese individuals compared to the national average of 8 out of 100.

Obesity among adults in the Cordillera Region is 34 while the national average is 31 out of 100 individuals.

Papey attributed the increase in obesity to the emergence of ready-to-cook and processed foods, and fast food chains especially in urban areas.

Cordillera Region ranked second following the National Capital Region (NCR) as to the existence of obese and overweight cases.

Papey said there is a need for the people to go back to the basic way of life by eating the right kind of food – nutritious and contains the right kind of minerals and vitamins for maximum growth.

Papey claimed it will be an uphill climb for concerned stakeholders to inform and educate the parents on the importance of embracing good nutrition for their children to avoid obesity and overweight.

“It is high time that people learn to go back to the basics of life by eating the right kind of food and allowing children to be exposed to eating nutritious food for the benefit of their growth,” Papey said. (PNA) LAP/JOJO LAMARIA