The Department of Science and Technology -Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) warned Monday, March 29, Filipinos against seven forms of unhealthy lifestyle amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

DOST-FNRI Director Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa noted that in the Philippines, all of the top causes of death such as heart illnesses and other non-communicable diseases were related to poor lifestyle and food choices, and sedentary living.

“While some propel choose to stay healthy though their conscious choices, many carelessly behave unhealthily,” she said during a webinar dubbed “Feeding Metro Manila in 2050: Promoting Responsible Consumption to Address Unhealthy Eating Preferences of Consumers” held on Monday, March 29. The webinar was organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

“Unhealthy lifestyle results in illness like non-communicable diseases, additional health expenditures, unproductivity due to economic losses, and even death,” she stressed. 

Agdeppa enumerated the seven forms of unhealthy lifestyle. These include physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, stress and excessive use of gadgets. 

“Among the forms of unhealthy lifestyle habits, physical inactivity is fund to be frequently related to the development of chronic diseases,” she said. 

Citing the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the FNRI top official said that there were three factors "that directly contribute to the rise of unhealthy lifestyle choices among Filipinos." 

The first factor was urbanisation, she said.

“More and more people are moving to the city because of convenience and accessibility. Urbanization opens new opportunities for people yet also contributes greatly to factors such as pollution,who plays a big factor when  it comes to several diseases,” Agdeppa said. 

She said another factor was market liberalization.  “Due to the influx of high paying industries in the Philippines much as the business process outsourcing industry, Filipinos have more purchasing power than before,” she said. 

“However, Filipinos tend to spend their money on unhealthy products instead of building up their health,” she added. 

She said food consumption was the third factor. “Due to me restaurants starting to compete with dominating brands in the country. Fast food restaurants is still the main go-to-place among Filipinos when it comes to choosing what to eat.”