BAGUIO City welcomes the New Year with a fireworks display. (Baguio PIO)
BAGUIO CITY – The National Nutrition Council-Cordillera Administrative Region (NNC-CAR) has renewed its call for the public to resume physical activity following the holiday season, warning against the health risks associated with prolonged feasting and a sedentary lifestyle.
Velanie Balajadia, Nutrition Officer III of NNC-CAR, said Thursday that the extended holidays should not be an excuse to neglect exercise.
“With the prolonged holidays, people must not forget to engage in various forms of physical activity to burn the excess fat, salt, and sugar stored in the body due to excessive eating during the many Christmas and New Year celebrations,” Balajadia said in a statement.
She urged the public to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, noting that inactivity increases the risk of developing life-threatening illnesses that may lead to premature death.
“Burning the food intake during the holidays should be a priority for everyone, for their own benefit,” she added.
Sedentary lifestyle, characterized by insufficient physical activity and prolonged sitting, is linked to a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and metabolic disorders.
“Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases. People who are insufficiently active have a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of death compared to those who are sufficiently active,” Balajadia said.
She also pointed out that physical inactivity often goes hand in hand with unhealthy dietary habits, further increasing health risks.
“It is not enough to simply increase physical activity to reduce health risks. This must be complemented by a healthy diet to improve metabolic health, body weight, and cardiovascular condition,” she said.
The government’s nutrition arm urged Filipinos to be more health-conscious as they welcome the new year to remain healthy and productive in the years ahead.
Baguio City Health Officer Celia Flor Brillantes earlier noted that a sedentary lifestyle has contributed to rising mortality rates in the city.
Records show that deaths linked to cardiovascular disease increased from 2,955 in 2023 to 3,079 in 2024. (PNA)