VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2016
Refreshing Your Health
THE HEALTHY FILIPINO FOR 2016 • How healthy is the Filipino? • What is a healthy Filipino citizen? • The healthy food countdown
The healthy Filipino for 2016 LET’S MAKE 2016 THE YEAR OF THE HEALTHY PINOY The world usually ends the year with a countdown, so why don’t we start 2016 with
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a count UP? For the first issue of A Slice of Orange, see how healthy we are as a nation, and where we want to be as a healthy Filipino citizenry as we carve our future this 2016.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2016
How Healthy is the Filipino? According to the 8th National Nutrition and Health Survey, the latest nationwide survey conducted every 5 years, here is how the Philippines fares in terms of health.
More than half of all deaths among Filipinos is due to lifestyle diseases
A third of all deaths among Filipinos is caused by diseases of the heart and blood vessels (such as heart attack and stroke)
in every 6.8% of all adult Filipinos are obese
in every 22% of all adult Filipinos have high blood pressure. 25% of Filipino men and 20% of Filipino women have hypertension. HYPERTENSION HYPERTENSION
25%
20%
8.3% Obesity is more common in women (8.3%) than in men (5.2%)
Almost half of Filipino adults have high blood cholesterol, as well as high levels of bad cholesterol.
Obesity is most common in Metro Manila, where 1 in every 10 adults is obese.
have low good cholesterol levels
1 in every 4 25% of Filipino adults smoke cigarettes.
Almost half of Filipino adults do not exercise regularly.
Source: 2013 National Nutrition and Health Survey. The survey included 172,323 Filipinos from 45,047 households in all regions of the Philippines.
What is a healthy Filipino CITIZEN? The Healthy Filipino Mentality 1. Positivity 2. Healthy attitude on taxes 3. Supports honest governance 4. Safety is a priority: Be informed, Be prepared (emergencies) 5. Financial responsibility 6. Lifelong learning and improvement
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2016
Healthy Food Countdown For Pinoys Filipino food is notoriously unhealthy—many dishes are fatty, fried, or salty.Even our rice is fried and salted. Here are the top 5 Pinoy staples foods you can indulge in.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Green leafy vegetables. Our par-
Serve these fishes at least twice a week,
is important in keeping many body or-
ents have always said that green leafy
more preferrably. Bangus and tilapia has
gans healthy, including the skin, muscles,
vegetables are rich in vitamins (vitamins
lower levels of omega 3, but these are still
bones, ligaments, tendons, and the im-
A, B, C and folic acid) and minerals
healthier alternatives to meat and are rich
mune system. But dalandan is also rich
(potassium, calcium, and iron). But these
in protein.
in fiber, which regulates bowel movement
fares are also rich in heart-healthy fiber, that also helps you have a regular bowel movement. Enjoy them steamed, lightly flavored, with vinaigrette. Fish. Fish have been praised for heart health, mostly because of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and keeps your
Bananas. Tasty and easy to eat, bananas are also packed with nutrition. Not only is it rich in B vitamins, but it is also high in potassium, which helps lower your blood pressure. Its carbohydrates are easily digestible, which, together with the potassium, makes it a favorite among athletes.
and prevents heart disease. The refreshing flavor is just a bonus. Sweet potato (kamote). Many figure-conscious people eat kamote as a replacement to rice. This is because kamote has the same complex carbohydrates as rice, but rich in fiber and beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. It also
blood from thickening too much. How-
Citrus fruits, like dalandan. When
has some B vitamins and manganese. En-
ever, omega-3 is richer in oily fishes such
you talk about vitamin C, citrus fruits
joy it boiled, and eat it with chilled milk
as sardines, tuna, mackerel, and salmon.
are what first comes to mind. Vitamin C
for dessert.
Helping Your People in the Path to Progress Benefits Made Better
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2016 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD