Filipinos Encouraged to Adopt Healthier Lifestyles in 2025
Health advocates in the Philippines are urging citizens to embrace healthier habits in 2025 to combat the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and mental health disorders.
The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) emphasizes the importance of making informed dietary choices, particularly by reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods like chips, hotdogs, and sweetened beverages. Instead, they recommend incorporating whole foods, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, into daily meals.
Alyannah Lagasca, lead convenor of the HPA Youth Network, highlighted that habits formed during childhood and adolescence often persist into adulthood. She stated, "Adopting a healthy lifestyle significantly contributes to preventing NCDs and maintaining overall physical and mental health."
The alliance also underscores the importance of other lifestyle modifications, such as increasing water intake, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding smoking and vaping, engaging in regular physical activity, and ensuring adequate sleep.
Former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, serving as HPA's lead convenor, called upon national and local government officials to implement policy interventions addressing NCD risk factors. He emphasized the need for decisive action to protect Filipinos from the burden of these diseases.
Additionally, the Department of Health (DOH) has raised concerns about "Holiday Heart Syndrome," a condition caused by excessive alcohol intake, stress, and consumption of salty or fatty foods during festive periods. This syndrome can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and increase the risk of strokes. The DOH advises the public to maintain balanced diets and manage stress effectively, especially during holidays, to safeguard heart health.
These concerted efforts aim to foster a culture of wellness and disease prevention among Filipinos, promoting a healthier nation in the years to come.
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