SHARING ON “HOW TO CHANGE THE OVERFED BUT UNDERNOURISHED

GENERATION”
February 28, 2019

Miss Lea started the sharing by presenting some common notions and definitions
that we use when we hear the word “Healthy”. Most common ones are usually, “Wala
naman akong nararamdaman?”, “Wala naman sa lahi namin ang ganiyang sakit”, and so on.
These are misconceptions on what a healthy individual must be. Parents and guardians
must also be a model of a healthy lifestyle to their children. Miss Lea shared her
experiences as a nurse where she encountered young children undergoing dialysis or some
diagnosed with cancer at a young age. She posed a question to the group, “Bakit nga ba
pabata ng pabata ang mga nagkakaroon ng mga ganitong sakit?”

Facts were presented on malnutrition and stunt growth among children. She
emphasized that malnutrition is not only seen among children if they are underweight, but
also for overweight and obese children. Heart disease and Diabetes are only some of the
common illnesses that children are now facing at a young age. Health was defined by the
World Health Organization as a "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." It is also the functioning of the body at
100% of its full potential.

To help prevent illnesses and diseases among learners, 3 TIPS for parents and
guardians were presented to help aid healthy choices:

1. Eat Right.
- 95% of chronic diseases are caused by food choices and lack of physical
fitness.
- TOP 5 KILLER FOOD
o Fried Chicken – chemicals injected in chickens are enhanced once it
is deep fried. A healthy alternative to this is roasted chicken.
o Instant Noodles – the ingredient used for preserving noodles is
“Plaster of Paris” which is usually used in structural models and
fracture casts. Also, the Monosodium Glutamate found in the flavoring
may cause Kidney failure.
o Red Hotdogs – the red pigment in these products may cause eye
problems and Leukemia.
o Soft Drinks – the acidity of these beverages are as high as the one
found in muriatic acid. A 850 g amount of sugar is also found in 1
Liter.
o French Fries – acrymalide, which is a derivative of formalin is used to
preserve these frozen potatoes.
- In eating these kinds of food, we feel full but actually we receive no
nourishment from them.
 - Nutrition refers to our food intake in relation to our body’s dietary needs.
- The Food Pyramid has now been updated to the PINGGANG PINOY which
varies depending on the age group of a child and the nutrional needs that
need to be met.

2. Regular Exercise and Physical Activity

-Digital Stress is now affecting most of our youth today. Gadgets dominate the
children’s free time which gives them less time to engage in physical activities
and playing.
-It was advised to limit the time for using gadgets, and encourage children to
engage themselves in sports or playing during their free time.

3. Take Supplements
- Ma’am Lea explained the importance of supplementation by sharing to the
group that in order to get the vitamins and minerals needed by our body we have
to consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables, even then, we will not be
able to fulfill what nutrients are lacking in our body. That is why supplementations
is needed, taking in multivitamins will be very much helpful in keeping our
children healthy and safe from illnesses. It should be taken note though that
some vitamins might contain parabens which is harmful for the body.

Questions were entertained by the Speaker, as a summary she said that food
preparation is key. Home prepared food is always better than buying in fast food chains
since we are aware of what ingredients we used. At times we cannot avoid buying instant
food items and fast food products due to convenience, this is okay as long as it is not done
too often. Discipline on food should also start at home; gradual steps could be taken to shift
the mindset of the WHOLE household on which foods are better for the body, parents and
guardians are considered models in this aspect. Giving the children healthy options to
choose from provides a sense of freedom for them while still getting the benefits of healthy
food.

We should also be mindful of what is found on the labels of the products we buy.
Some of the parents expressed their appreciation of the school’s efforts to promote healthy
lifestyle by implementing food charts in the classroom and not allowing high-sugar and high-
sodium products to be sold in the canteens. Raising awareness on healthful living is also
very important; the speaker encouraged the attendees to share this information to others as
well.

Mrs. Menecio thanked Ms. Lea Pelew and her colleague for sharing their
invaluable time and knowledge on the issue of the “Overfed but Undernourished
Generation”.