Pinoys face a continuing battle against heart and other cardiovascular diseases, as change in Philippine household consumption patterns point to a diet high in fats, oils and sugars.
The amount of per capita food intake has increased to 886 grams in 2003, compared to 803 grams in 1993, but there was a sharp drop in the amount of fruits and vegetables eaten and, instead was a rise in consumption of meat products, fats, and sugar, according to a survey of Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).
The alarming unhealthy eating habits of Filipinos was confirmed by National Statistical Coordination Board in its report, saying that “during the period 1999-2002 diseases of the heart were consistently the number one killer, accounting for 16 to 18 cases for every 100 deaths in a year.
“More frightening is that while for each year from 1999-2001, there were only 78-81 deaths due to diseases of the heart per 100,000 population, the number rose to 88 in 2002,” the NSCB report added.
The report also said that according to statistics compiled by the Department of Health from the Civil Registration System of National Statistics Office, diseases of the vascular system follow with 12 to 14 out of 100 deaths. |
