Awareness of the Food-Based Diet Guidelines, Eating Practices, and Preferred Sources of Nutrition Information of Employees in an Open University in the Philippines
Background: Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are considered as major risk factors in the development of the “fatal four†Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) (WHO, 2018). As the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) adopts a sedentary work lifestyle with most of the employees spending long hours at the office sitting in front of a computer screen, the university must be able to promote health and wellness in the workplace, particularly healthy eating.
Purpose: Thus, the study aimed to determine UPOU employees’ awareness of the Food-based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs), adherence to the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF), and preferred sources of information on healthy eating to provide insights for the development of nutrition interventions in the university.
Methods: A total of 85 healthy employees aged 19-59 years old accomplished an online adapted survey from February to April 2019 which included questions on awareness of the four FBDGs--2012 NGF; Kumainments (simplified version of NGF); Daily Nutritional Guide Pyramid (DNGP); and Pinggang Pinoy (a plate-like pictorial model), eating practices relative to the 2012 NGF, and preferred sources of information on the FBDGs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Results of the study showed that most of the respondents were not aware of the FBDGs. Among those who were aware, only a few have read the FBDGs. Adherence to the guidelines was also low as reflected by a very low percentage of respondents practicing the messages on the recommended frequency of intake of food groups.
Conclusion: Results suggest conducting lectures or seminars and producing video materials about nutrition which can be uploaded in UPOU’s online repository of multimedia resources and social media sites to promote healthy eating practices among UPOU employees and ensure a healthy and sustainable workforce.
Article Matrics
Abstract views : 1682 times
PDF Downloads: 1231
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Ball, K., Mishra, G., Thane, C., & Hodge, A. (2003). How well do Australian women comply with dietary guidelines? Public Health Nutrition 7(3), 443-452. https://doi.org/10.1079/PHN2003538
Bechthold, A., Wendt, I., Laubach, B., Mayerbock, C., & Oberritter H., (2017). Consumers’ awareness of food-based dietary guidelines in Germany. Ernaehrungs Umschau international, 64(7), 112-119. https://doi.org/10.4455/eu.2017.025.
Berrian, F.K. (1968). General and social systems. New Brunswick. Rutgers University Press.
Bertalanffy, L.V. (1968). General systems theory. Braziller.
Cirino, E. (2018, June 13). Most common noncommunicable diseases. Healthline. Retrieved January 5, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/
De Abreu, D., Guessous, I., Gaspoz, J., & Marques-Vidal, P. (2014). Compliance with the Swiss Society for nutrition’s dietary recommendations in the population of Geneva, Switzerland: A 10 year trend study (1999-2009). Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(5), 774-780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.07.032
Department of Health. (2020). Pinggang Pinoy: Healthy Food Plate for Filipino Adults. Retrieved January 16, 2021, from https://doh.gov.ph/node/223
European Food Safety Authority Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA). (2010). Scientific Opinion on establishing food-based dietary guidelines. EFSA Journal, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2010
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2014). Communication for Rural Development Sourcebook. Dover Publications, Inc.
Food and Nutrition Research Institute - Department of Science and Technology. (2015). Philippine nutrition facts and figures 2013. 8th National Nutrition Survey: Dietary Survey.
Fukuta, E., Sudo, N., & Kato, N. (2008). Barriers to compliance with the daily food guide for children among first-grade pupils in a rural area in the Philippine Island of Mindanao. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 62, 502-510. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602734
George, G., Milani, T., Hanss-Nuss, H., & Freeland-Graves, J. (2005). Compliance with the dietary guidelines and relationship to psychosocial factors in low-income women in late postpartum. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 105, 916-926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2005.03.009
Kreps, G.L. (1990). Communication and health education. In E. Berlin Ray & L. Donohew (Eds.), Communication and health: Systems and applications (pp. 187-203). Hillsdale, Erlbaum.
Kuizon, M.D., Florentino, R.F., & Magsaysay, C.G. (1990). Development of Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos. Journal of Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines, 4(3), 103-109.
Kurniawan, T., Afrimasari, E., & Hartati, S. (2018). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Level, Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Level, and Quality of Work Life among University Staffs; Correlational Study. Padjadjaran Nursing Journal, 6(2), 120-130. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkp/v6i2.628
Lalu, G.P. (2018, May 19). DOH: One of every 3 Filipinos dies from non-communicable diseases. Inquirer.net. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/.
Lopez-Madrid, M., Acuin, C., Orense, C., Duante, C., Tan, R., & Capanzan, M. (2018). Awareness of and Adherence to the Food Based Dietary Guidelines Among Household Meal Planners in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science, 147(3), 523-535. https://doi.org/ 10.1079/PHN2003538
Modesto, C.A. (2018, October 27). Funds vs NCDs sought in health care program. The Manila Times. Retrieved December 21, 2020, from https://www.manilatimes.net/
Nordqvist, C. (2011, April 27). Non-Communicable Disease deaths increasing globally, especially in developing nations. Medical News Today. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
Tanchoco, C.C. (2011). Food-based dietary guidelines for Filipinos: Retrospects and prospects. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 20(3), 462-471.
Tee, E.S., Hardinsyah, R., Florentino, R.F, Ismail, M.N., Suthutvoravut, U., & Hop, L.T. (2016). Food-based dietary guidelines of Southeast Asian Countries: Part 1- A compilation and analysis of key messages. https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.61.s214