The world has been in an on-and-off cycle of lockdowns and isolations for almost two years since the first wave of the global pandemic. Because of physical restrictions to maintain safety, it became inevitable for many resources to collapse, including human resources. Not only did the amount of frontline workforce decrease, but the health and lifestyle of the majority of common civilians also started to deteriorate as well.
According to the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) on a 2019 survey, one in three Filipino adults is overweight or obese. The survey also showed 9.1% of school-age children have a Body Mass Index (BMI), far more significant than 25.0, and this number doesn’t include the population of children under five years of age and adolescents yet. Thus, even before the pandemic, obesity was already a problem caused by the lack of physical activity and the stigmatization of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, the work-from-home setup and online classes limited the opportunity to perform even the most basic and practical physical activity even more. For one, children tend to sit and expose themselves to their gadgets’ radiation all day. Moreover, a balanced diet and proper nutrition are being neglected in exchange for leisure nowadays. If this continues, the global obesity rate is expected to reach 18% in men and go beyond 21% in women by 2025. As a result, the life expectancy of the adults by that time, which are also the children today, would decrease even more.
Before push comes to shove, all concerned sectors must play a role in educating the people and promoting a healthy lifestyle. As for the education sector, curricula concerning physical health should be intensified and revamped. For instance, Physical Education must be taken as seriously as any subject and should involve more physical-engaging activities. Also, subjects like Personal Development and Science could teach the basics of a balanced diet and emphasize its application. Other than that, schools can implement seminars for both parents and children about this matter. With this, the stigma that being health conscious is bad or unhealthy and that children should always enjoy their meals with sweets and savory tastes can be eliminated. Because an adult’s lifestyle is built through his eating habits and physical activity from the previous years, so it’s essential to start building it right as soon as possible.
In addition, aside from the long-term positive effects on one’s physical health, healthy eating habits and active physical life are also proven to increase a person’s intellectual capacity. Walden University stated that these could help prevent mental health issues like depression and anxiety since exercise and proper nutrients can increase the endorphin level, making a human feel good. It can also decrease stress and increase self-confidence because the body’s central and sympathetic nervous systems can communicate well with each other. Moreover, it boosts mental capacity by improving focus and enabling a clearer mind which can help students increase their productivity. Then there are those health benefits like being free from chronic health diseases and increasing life expectancy.
In the Philippines, it’s unusual to see a person jogging along the streets, but it’s normal to see people smoking cigars. But conventional isn’t always right. It’s about time to raise a generation of children who are both academically bright and physically fit. After all, human resources are measured through the working population’s overall well-being.
REFERENCES:
- https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/Poor-diets-failing-food-systems-and-lack-of-physical-activity-are-causing-overweight-and-obesity-in-children
- https://www.bworldonline.com/the-philippines-is-getting-fat-obesity-rates-increase-as-poor-nutrition-persists/
- https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/poor-diets-failing-food-systems-and-lack-physical-activity-are-causing-overweight
- https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-psychology/resource/five-mental-benefits-of-exercise#:~:text=Physical%20activity%20increases%20body%20temperature,and%20when%20we%20feel%20alert.
By: Renz Oliver N. Alfanta
