Health execs take belly-up challenge

MANILA, Philippines–Unless they want their health to go belly up, health employees in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa) have to undergo a six-month nutrition challenge to help trim the excess belly fat they gained during the long holiday break.

Under the “Belly Gud for Health 2015 Challenge,” all Department of Health (DOH) employees in the region will receive intervention on nutrition and physical activity according to their preference, schedule and convenience, said the DOH regional director, Eduardo Janairo.

“We went on long vacations during the past weeks and indulged in [binge eating],” Janairo said. “These excess fats in our belly should be trimmed through proper diet and regular exercise to avoid cardiovascular diseases.”

The six-month weight loss program was first launched in January 2013 among DOH officials who took up aerobic and isometric exercises, nutrition counseling and stress management to help them attain a healthy body weight and fight the stress that comes with management work.

Easily an advocate of physical exercise is Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag who has been known to initiate flash mobs and dance to popular tunes to propagate health campaigns.

Waist measured

The Mimaropa office decided to adopt the same program for the rank and file, who have low levels of physical activity and are exposed daily to fast food, Janairo said.

“All [DOH] employees in the region will be included in the challenge (and) their waist size measured as well as their glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index [at the start of the program],” the DOH official said.

According to the DOH, waist circumference is a simple and easy measure of central obesity, which is the amount of visceral fat—or fat that surrounds the inner organs—among adults, and a major indicator of risk for lifestyle-related diseases, such as heart ailments and stroke.

The desirable waist circumference is less than 90 centimeters (35 inches) for men and 80 centimeters (31 inches) for women.

Lifestyle-related diseases are the top causes of death in the Philippines. These diseases are linked to the four most common but preventable risk factors: An unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and alcohol use.

A monthly monitoring of the participants’ waist circumference will be conducted for assessment, Janairo said, adding that incentives will be given those who are able to attain the prescribed waist size at the end of the program.

The health official also announced that his office would bring the program to other government agencies in the region to ensure that more workers become healthier and safe from lifestyle-related diseases.