Talisay marks Nutrition Month

CEBU, Philippines - Nutrition Month is celebrated every July.

In Talisay City, Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, chairman of the committee on health, yesterday said the city government has lined up various activities.

Aznar said the city will sponsor cooking contests in all public schools on July 19 and cooking contests in 22 barangays on July 20. 

Aznar said the city is also searching for the best backyard gardening in all public high schools and search for Best Backyard Gardening in 22 Barangays. 

This year’s theme is “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain.”

Studies show that majority of Filipinos eat vegetables every day as the average household vegetable consumption has increased from 145 grams per day in 1978 to 410 grams per day in recent years, although there are still some who do not include vegetables in their daily diets.

Nutrition Month is observed every July of each year pursuant to Presidential Decree 491, in a bid to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choice and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

“The observance aims to create awareness on the importance of proper nutrition. This year, we will intensify our campaign to encourage more people to eat vegetables to avoid getting diseases such as diabetes and cancer,” Aznar said. 

Last Sunday, the city started its celebration with Nutriwalk 2012 fitness exercise and the city government already has lined up several activities for this year’s Nutrition Month celebration.

The Nutriwalk were joined by all barangay health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, barangay and SK council, city officials and city hall employees, senior citizens, officials from the Department of Education, Talisay City Joggers and Aerobics club. 

City nutrition council headed by Dr. Ven Papa, city health officer Lino Alanzado, city social welfare officer Felipa Solano has prepared a series of activities for the whole month of July.