National Nutrition Month – Eating Healthy Each Day Keeps Stunting At Bay

It’s no secret that a nutritious, balanced diet is the key to unlocking a healthier, fitter and longer life, but it’s often hard to decide how (and when) to start. There are so many different opinions on what is considered healthy. It is a low carb way of life? Or is it high protein? What about going vegan, is that the answer? And don’t start on exercise! Every expert is trying to tell you that their method is the best way to get the body you want. It can all get overwhelming and confusing.

July is National Nutrition Month in the Philippines. Now in its 46^th year, it has long been a time to focus on ourselves, looking at our wellness, fitness and wellbeing, and seeing what we can do to improve our overall health.

This year’s Nutrition Month theme is “Batang Pinoy SANA TALL… Iwas Stunting, SAMA ALL!” and aims to educate about the importance of good nutrition to prevent stunted growth, also known as stunting. Stunting is caused by a combination of poor nutrition, continual infections, and the lack of opportunity for young children to play and learn. Filipino children have the second highest incidence of stunting in the South East Asian region, with two out of every five children in some areas being too short for their age. Stunting is more than just being a little bit short, and can have serious consequences on intellectual development, and can lead to lifelong health problems.

The Philippine Plan of Action on Nutrition (PPAN) plays an important role alongside Nutrition Month. As the country’s framework for the improvement of nutrition, it aims to focus on the first 1000 days of a child’s life, from birth until they are two years old. This is a crucial time for proper nutrition and learning development, and studies have shown that early intervention can decrease the levels of stunting found in young children.

Easy DNA Philippines is on board with National Nutrition Month, and suggests the Nutrifit DNA test, which helps to educate you about the best possible nutrition and fitness regime to suit your needs. Using Next Generation Sequencing Technology, the Nutrifit test analyses your unique DNA, assessing over 110 genetic variations that affect personal metabolism and physical characteristics. By analysing your genes, we can equip you with a set of unique guidelines that can help you discover optimal health and fitness. We can also recommend the types of physical activities that suit you best or what to approach with caution.

You will receive a comprehensive nutrogenomic guide, which includes:

• An easy-to-understand introduction to diet and genetics
• Food nutrition tables, including nearly 200 different foods along with their caloric values, cholesterol content and contents of vitamins and minerals, allowing you to effectively plan your meals
• Lifestyle and Dietary recommendations

Having a well-nourished body is the first and most important step towards protecting yourself from infection and disease, and there is no better test to kick start your journey to improving your health and fitness, and to discover the full potential of you or your child.

With the right tools, you can help to stop stunting, and you can start today, by making simple, healthy dietary changes. Ensure that your children don’t become a statistic. Eat healthy each day to keep stunting away!