Health advocates are urging the public to adopt healthier habits in 2025, including replacing poor food choices to help prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and mental health illnesses.
According to the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), ultra-processed food like chips, hotdogs, sweetened beverages, and other instant or ready to eat products should be replaced with whole foods, including more fruits and vegetables.
“Adopting a healthy lifestyle significantly contributes to preventing NCDs and maintaining overall physical and mental health. The habits we develop in childhood and adolescence often carry over into adulthood,” HPA Youth Network lead convener Alyannah Lagasca said.
They also stressed the importance of drinking more water, cutting back on alcohol, avoiding smoking or vaping, staying physically active, and ensuring sufficient sleep.
“We must protect Filipinos and their families from the burden of NCDs. We call on our national and local government officials to make a commitment as their New Year’s resolution to take decisive action and implement policy interventions that will address the urgent threat of NCDs and combat its risk factors such as smoking, vaping, and unhealthy diets to safeguard our nation’s health,” said former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, also HPA lead convener and HealthJustice board member.
The group reminded the public, particularly those living with NCDs, to stay mindful of their health, especially when eating during the holidays to better manage their condition and avoid complications.
The Department of Health had also urged the public to eat healthy food and stay active to protect their heart from diseases, particularly the so-called “Holiday Heart Syndrome,” which is a condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption, stress, lack of rest, and eating salty and fatty food, which can increase blood pressure. HHS can lead to arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms, a key cause of strokes, which may lead to death if the patient is not treated immediately.
According to the World Health Organization, 7 out of 10 deaths in the country yearly are caused by NCDs, mostly due to cardiovascular diseases.
Small changes in lifestyle can have a big impact, especially where NCDs are concerned. Making diets healthier, exercise, as well as shunning alcohol and smoking can extend lifespans and improve the quality of life of those who put in the extra effort to live healthier. Perhaps we should try listening to the advice of experts as we start the year.*
