TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Cagayan Provincial Government launched its ‘biggest loser’ weight loss challenge for capitol employees on Monday, October 2.
This is in line with the Provincial Health Office’s (PHO) program which urges provincial government employees to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
A team of at least five people per department will participate in the challenge. PHO will monitor the contestants’ weight every week. PHO said they may also include employees and staff of provincial district hospitals.
Winners of the biggest loser challenge will be awarded this December.
PHO is also monitoring employees who are hypertensive or people with high blood pressure, and diabetic or those with high blood sugar levels.
PHO Officer-in-Charge Doctor Carlos Cortina III said they are trying to reduce the morbidity rate of the province.
Risk factors
In Cagayan Provincial Information Office’s (CPIO) Kapehan sa Kapitolyo, Doctor Cortina encouraged capitol employees and the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Cortina said obesity is a risk factor to heart problems and deadly illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
Cortina added that some individuals may seem fit but are actually overweight or underweight based on their body mass indices (BMI).
He advised that a person should at least get six to eight hours of sleep and a 30-minute moderate exercise for at least four times a week.
He added that proper caloric intake through a balanced diet with all the food groups, the Go, Grow, and Glow, must be maintained. Root crops are better and healthier sources of carbohydrates than rice, Cortina advised. Northernforum.net
