The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10 joined the celebration of the 47th National Nutrition Month, with the theme, “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days Tutukan,” through a series of activities held July 2021.
In a webinar on nutrition conducted, July 23, NEDA-10 Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño highlighted the importance of staying healthy to enable the personnel and their families to combat the ravages brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also urged the participants to make healthy food choices and exercise regularly.
For her part, Nita T. Antipuesto, city nutrition planning coordinator of the Cagayan de Oro City Health Office, shared how nutrition can greatly affect the growth and development of a child. Her presentation focused on the first 1000 days of the child, which is the golden window of opportunity for the interventions to achieve the maximum potential of child growth.
NEDA-10 personnel’s skill in photography was also tested through a Photography Contest under two categories: (1) photo entries capturing this year’s nutrition month theme; and (2) food photo entries capturing healthy recipes personally prepared by the participating NEDA-10 staff.
Renie M. Dumangas and JL Amadeus C. Cañada of the Finance and Administrative Division bagged the top prizes, respectively.
The supposed feeding program for the Home Care for Girls in Macanhan, Cagayan de Oro City, July 23, was deferred until the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) status for the city will be lifted.
Presidential Decree 491 in 1974 declared July as the National Nutrition Month to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos. The law mandates the National Nutrition Council to coordinate and lead the nationwide campaign.
The 2021 Nutrition Month theme calls for continued efforts to address malnutrition in the country, which is expected to worsen as a result of the pandemic and limited resources for nutrition. The theme calls for all sectors to focus efforts on the First 1000 Days of life as the strategic intervention to prevent stunting and obesity. (NEDA-10/PIA-10)