‘10 commandments of nutrition’ to be launched in Zamboanga City

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The National Nutrition Council (NNC) will be launching the “Ten Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos” shortly after a fun run on Dec. 15 here in the city.

Ms. Pamela Tarroza, nutrition program coordinator of NNC-9, shared that the guidelines are ten condensed versions of nutritional knowledge advocating for the correct daily practices to ensure good health for Filipinos.

“The guidelines are lifetime messages that will reiterate the proper practices in order for us to be at our healthiest,” she said.

The messages include items on proper diet and nutrition, regular exercise, breastfeeding for infants, the need for the use of iodized salt, and the need to eliminate vices such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Last October, the NNC in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 conducted focused-group discussions with community members in key areas in the region to validate translated versions of the messages into the vernacular, particularly in Chabacano and Bisaya.

“It is important to have these messages in the local dialect so it will not be difficult for our residents to understand them and to eventually practice them,” added Tarroza.

The messages will be put up on tarpaulins which will be displayed in public places. During the fun run, the NNC will be distributing nutritional guidelines leaflets to the participants.

Meanwhile, Tarroza invites adults and children alike to participate in the fun run on Dec. 15.

“The run is also an advocacy for regular exercise for the adults and the children as well,” she said. Tarroza explained that children should be encouraged to have more physical activities, as she has noticed that the majority of children these days only find fun in video games and computers.

The fun run dubbed “One Run, Flag, Nation and Nutrition,” is a joint effort of the NNC, SkyCable and RMN-Zamboanga. It aims to benefit the Nutrition on Wheels program, as well as local feeding programs of the city. Assembly time will be at the Paseo del Mar at 4 a.m.

For registration or additional information on the run, interested participants may contact SkyCable at (062) 992-0783. (PIA9)