From July to November, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Nutrition Action Office (PNAO) will host its inaugural "biggest loser" challenge with the goal of preventing lifestyle diseases.
The program is aimed at children and adults who are overweight or obese with the hopes of reducing the obesity rate in the province.
The initiative is being carried out in line with the province's Nutrition Month festivities.
What is the “biggest loser”
It comes from the premise of the 30-week competition show "Biggest Loser," wherein participants weigh in to establish their initial weights, which are used to determine who wins overall.
Ilocos Norte’s program will feature two age groups: boys 6–10 years old and females 20–59 years old. These are the most obese age groups according to a Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) survey.
The towns of Currimao, Bacarra, Vintar, Paoay, and Dingras have the highest prevalence of overweight and obese children under the age of five, according to the most recent statistics available on the topic in the province.
The rules of the tournament and the awards, however, are still being finalized.
Pursuit of improved nutrition status
With a steady decline in occurrences of underweight, overweight, stunting, and wasting over the last five years, Ilocos Norte has improved its nutrition status.
In order to maintain this, the PNAO has been leading initiatives both for the young and the old.
In addition, the salt iodization program is being observed in a sample of homes, marketplaces, local shops, and supermarkets to ensure the nutritional security of the locals.
