Assignment: Keeping students’ ‘baon’ junk-free and healthy
Today, June 10, millions of students will troop back to school all over the country. It’s back to monstrous traffic jams (that took a vacation, too — at least in places in the metro where there are schools).
Kids, are you ready for school? Is your baon ready? But wait, what’s in your baon?
Parents, do you know what’s in your kids’ baon? Now, here’s an assignment for you. Listen up!
A public health and environmental advocacy coalition is pushing for healthy and trash-free students’ baon. Educators, nutritionists, and health personnel recently got together to discuss the provision of health care and nutrition in the country’s schools. In a statement released at the biennial National School Health and Nutrition Congress of the Department of Education (DepEd) held recently, the EcoWaste Coalition called the delegates’ attention to the urgent need to step up a nationwide campaign against foods high in fat, sugar, and salt to combat obesity and trash.
A concerned Ofelia Panganiban of EcoWaste Coalition stresses, “We expect the school health and nutrition specialists to take notice of obesity and diet-related diseases among children.” She adds that “an animated year-round campaign on obesity should inform teachers, parents, and students about its connection with junk food diet and the need to cut down on junk.”
The EcoWaste shares this gem of wisdom, “A DepEd-led campaign for junk-free baon will ensure school community appreciation for healthy balanced diet and will definitely contribute in shaping mentally alert, emotionally equipped, physically fit, and environmentally responsible students, while minimizing junk food trash like plastic wrappers and other disposable packaging materials.”
Health and nutrition experts have warned against a diet loaded with processed foods that contain excessive fat, sugar, and salt, which can lead to micronutrient deficiencies and obesity, and badly affect a child’s concentration, learning capabilities, and overall development.
A junk-based diet can also set the foundations for high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
The EcoWaste points out that a healthy and waste-free baon, packed in a clean and reusable container, should contain the essential nutrients that will help improve the child’s concentration, performance, and learning. This should include complex carbohydrates for energy, protein for attentiveness, calcium for healthy bones and teeth, and vitamins and minerals for hale and hearty development.
Back when we were school children, Mom sent us off to school every morning with homemade baon that consisted of hard-boiled eggs, a banana or an apple, and pan de sal. We bought our milk chocolate drink at the school canteen. Our school allowance was limited, so we didn’t have the money to blow on junk food. Our rare indulgence was a bar of Hershey chocolate.
Echoing the DepEd Health and Nutrition Center, the EcoWaste Coalition urged school canteens to serve affordable nutritious food, especially those fortified with micronutrients, since some busy parents may be rushing off to work and not have the time to prepare homemade baon for their children in the morning and instead simply give their kids snack or lunch money.
Worldwide, childhood obesity is quite a big problem. Data gathered from Consumers International show that some 22 million children under the age of five worldwide are overweight or obese. More, unhealthy diets are a major cause of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers in low and middle-income countries, including the Philippines.
Now, if only parents and the authorities concerned would do their assignment.
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