Risk factors for non-communciable diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronory heart diseases, obesity and other chronic disorders can be modified by diet and physical activity.

The National Nutrition Council has intensified the call for these as it launched the celebration of nutrition month with the theme, “Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktibo…Push Natin ‘to”

NNC Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Nona Tad-y said that pushing this advocacy for consumption of healthy diets and increased physical activity means that everybody must contribute to its realization.

Tad-y specifically called on the schools and the homes to lead in the promotion of correct nutrition and physical activity.

“The school should ensure all the time to include activities that will enable children to move and learn at the same time,” she said.

Further, the school can ensure safe playgrounds, encourage sports activities by holding sports clinics as well as maintain healthy school canteens.

On the other hand, Tad-y has called on the homes to include all members in doing household chores, provide children with toys that make them active, reudce screnn time, watching TV, or using gadgets to not more than 2 hours.

“Generally, the theme for this year’s nutrition month celebration is not a call for only a month but for a continuing lifestyle of maintaining a balance between healthy diets and physical activity for better health outcomes,” Tad-y said. (Elsa Subong/ NNC)