Genes contribute to childhood obesity
By Ross Hettinger
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 22 – Did you know that certain
genes can affect how prone you are to obesity? A study conducted by the
Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI)
found at least two genes that seem to affect eating behaviors of children aged
9-12.
Researchers took anthropometric measurements of 125
children. Anthropometric measurements are measurements of proportions, height,
and weight. They also took a survey of the children’s eating behaviors as well
as an analysis of their genome. A genome is a complete set of genes unique to
each person.
The results of the study showed that children who
possessed two certain genes, the FTO rs9939609 and FTO rs1421085 were more
likely to have food-positive eating behaviors and that these children also had
the highest tendency of being overweight or obese.
Obesity does not just affect a child’s physical
health, but also their mental health and ability to socialize with other
children. While genes may play a role whether a child is obese or not, proper
eating behavior is the most important way to prevent a child from becoming
obese. The Pinggang Pinoy developed by DOST-FNRI is a good tool to ensure that
your child is eating the best food for their age in correct portions.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana,
Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and
Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
You may also like their Facebook page at
facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow their Twitter account at
twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
Welfare assistance given to OFWs in AgSur town
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 22 – Earlier this year 2017, the
province of Agusan del Sur was declared under the state of calamity after
almost two weeks of continuous torrential rainfall brought about by Typhoon
Auring and the tail-end of the cold front.
Eight municipalities in the province of Agusan de
Sur were declared under state of calamity (San Luis, Esperanza, Loreto,
Veruela, Bunawan, Talacogon, La Paz and Trento) and all barangays in these
towns, particularly those in river municipalities which remained flooded for
several weeks.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (PDRRMC), 223 houses were destroyed while other houses
were washed out by the rampaging flood that started on January 17, 2017.
With the dawning of calamities affecting the lives
of its member-OFWs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) created
a program to assist and provide relief assistance to families affected by
calamities. The Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) was realized to give
assistance to OWWA members facing any of the following circumstances: those
affected calamities such as by super typhoons, magnitude 6 and up earthquake,
heavy flooding; bereavement for the family of an OFW who were victims of crimes
or accident; disability of a member; medical assistance for OWWA members not
covered by the MEDPlus.
On November 18-19, 2017, the OWWA Caraga Team
released the calamity assistance to the OWWA members, active and non-active,
from San Luis, Agusan del Sur. One hundred twenty-nine 129 families received
their assistance, of which, 56 are already inactive members while 73 are still
active. The release totaled to P101,000.
The team also conducted an advocacy of the agency’s
programs and services to make sure that the members are informed and aware of
the existence of the programs. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
