Cordillera, - When it comes to proper nutrition among Filipinos, the
Igorots ranked among the healthiest in the country according to the latest
statistics of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.
The survey is based on four nutrition indicators such as the prevalence of
underweight, over nutrition, wasting and stunting.The data shows that only 5.8 percent of Cordillerans are underweight, compared to the national level of 10.3 percent. The low percentage of Cordillerans who are underweight could be associated with the steady source of nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables.
READ ALSO: Luis Hora Hospital in Bauko, Mt. Province to launch its first Kidney Dialysis Center
Most Cordillerans are farmers planting different kinds of vegetables such as cabbage, potato, cauliflower, carrot, garden pea, bell pepper, broccoli, celery and lettuce.
While the data shows a quite good nutrition indications, the region has the highest record of people suffering from hypertension due to diets high in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol.
The record also shows that CAR has a lower rate on stunting ( a condition that is defined as height for age below below the fifth percentile on a reference growth curve ). CAR's rates for the five to 10 and 11 to 19-year old category are lower compared to the national rate.
READ ALSO: Philippine congress approves universal health care for all Filipinos
It is also revealed that the region has the highest indicator when it comes to volume of food. The data shows that 38.7 of household in the Cordillera has an adequate source of energy intake which is below the national rate of 31 percent.
The Cordilleran region also recorded low in wasting ( low weight for height ) among school children with a rate of 19.3 percent which is way far below the 31.2 percent national rate. The CAR rate is the lowest among other regions in the country.
The survey also shows the region has the lowest rate of risk for pregnant women with 22.3 percent compare to the national status of 24.8 percent.
However, according to National Nutrition Council Program Coordinator Rita Papey, although CAR has an adequate source of food supply, the region has a record of low consumption of fish which is needed to have a balance diet.
4 Comments:
Wow Cordillera!! Some people may look down for farmers as poor without knowing that farmers are working hard to produce their food..
It’s true about hypertension. At a young age almost all my family suffered from high blood pressure. When we were young we seldom eat fresh fish and meat . We sell our fresh veggies in exchange for processed food . Till now I love salted fish than Fresh fish ..
Fish, or any animals, is not required for a balanced diet though. Eating grains, fruits and vegetables is healthiest for you, which the igorots prove.
Post a Comment