The National Nutrition Council recently launched the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos during the third national conference of Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) held at the SMX Convention Center. Dubbed the “10 Kumainments,” these are the 10 rules to live by in order to achieve good health through proper nutrition. The 10 Kumainments are also available for Muslim Filipinos. These same guidelines are shared with other regions with Muslim constituents.
Also during the conference, the importance of NAOs in the government campaign for proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle and wellness were emphasized. NAOs all over the country are responsible for the implementation of nutritional programs that not only fight malnutrition but also help prevent overnutrition or obesity among children. They must also oversee the feeding programs during times of calamity where there is a possibility of undernutrition of child evacuees, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
NNC directors stressed the importance of the first 1000 days or the period between conception until the child is 2 years of age. This is where proper nutrition of the mother during pregnancy and after birth is very critical to the child’s development.
Studies have shown that improperly nourished pregnant women cause low birth weight and children with low birth weight are most susceptible to NCDs or noncommunicable diseases which include hypertension and cancers.