Finding the Balance for a Healthier You

It may come as a shocker, but the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently said that 4 out of 10 Filipinos are obese. And get this, it affects Filipinos across age groups – more notably in urbanized regions such as the National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera.

Here’s another thing: obesity is actually a form of malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that obesity is a health condition where there is abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body, and it may lead to more health risks like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

The Department of Health (DOH) is urging everyone to take these steps for better health:

1. Practice Pinggang Pinoy Food Proportioning: It’s really about balance. FNRI, in collaboration with WHO, DOH, and the National Nutrition Council (NNC), developed this simple visual food guide, ideal to meet the nutrient needs for an average Filipino adult. Half your plate should have fruits and vegetables, one-sixth for meat, poultry, or fish, and one-third is for carbohydrates like rice, bread, and root crops.

Photo taken from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute

2. Exercise Regularly: Sometimes, you just have to force yourself to get moving. Adults should exercise at least 30 minutes per day, while children 6-17 years old should exercise at least one hour a day. Even low-intensity and short-interval exercises will help reduce excess body fat.

3. Get enough sleep: Get that sleep! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends 8–12 hours of sleep for kids (6–17 years old) and 7–9 hours for adults. Sleep helps regulate appetite and energy, and lack of it is linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes, depression, and obesity.

4. Maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI): Monitoring your BMI is more than just achieving the body goals for aesthetics. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines BMI as a useful way to gauge your body fat. This way, you can better assess how to manage your health and prevent health risks.

Taking the first step toward better health can be tough — especially for people living with obesity. Many avoid medical consultations out of fear of judgment, intimidation, or high costs. But getting the right support shouldn’t be out of reach.

That’s where Maxicare PRIMA by MaxiHealth comes in — a line of prepaid healthcare cards designed to help you manage your wellness confidently and comfortably. PRIMA offers flexible healthcare access with three cards to choose from:

PRIMA Consult (₱999 per year), PRIMA Access (₱9,999 per year), and PRIMA Elite (₱19,999 per year). They all provide unlimited doctor consultations, an annual physical exam (APE), and different levels of access to lab tests and diagnostics.

You can use these cards at Maxicare Primary Care Clinics nationwide – no age limits and pre-existing health conditions, like obesity, are welcome.

Visit shop@maxihealth.com.ph now to choose a PRIMA card fit for you!

0

0