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COTABATO CITY — Two agencies of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) have joined hands to intensify promotion of programs on proper nutrition.

These offices are the region’s Department of Health (DOH-Armm) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC-ARMM) which tapped members of the Regional Nutrition Committee to address malnutrition problem in the region’s five provinces and two cities.

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In a forum on Thursday at the Office of the Bangsamoro People in the regional seat of government, Dayang Jumaide, DOH-Armm assistant secretary, encouraged members of the Regional Nutrition Committee to emulate programs such as “Pinggang Pinoy” and “10 Kumain-ments” 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 life-style.

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 percent in 1993 to 31.1 percent in 2013.
For children aged 11 to 19 years old, the number also increased from 5.8 percent in 2003 to 8.3 percent in 2013.
For pre-school children (five to 10 years old), from below two percent (2 percent) in 1989 to 1998, it went up to 4.9 percent in 2013.

In Armm, the prevalence rate of pre-school children; children aged 11 to 19 years old; and adults are at 2.8 percent, 5.3 percent, and 23.2 percent, 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 ArmmM through an aggressive and cohesive delivery of services among concerned agencies, local government units and other stakeholders.

Armm is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. (PNA)

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