Nutrition Focus

To achieve best results in preventing nutrition-related chronic diseases. strategies and

policies should fully recognize the essential role of both diet and physical activity in
determining good nutrition and optimal health. Policies and programs must address
the need for change at the individual level as well as the modifications in society and
the environment to make healthier choices accessible and preferable. In communities.
districts and nations in which widespread, integrated interventions have taken place,
dramatic decreases in NCD related death and disability have occurred.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in the body’s susceptibility to disease because poor
nutrition limits the body’s ability to resist infection. Lack of calcium could leave a
child prone to rickets, a disease that affects growth by causing shortening or bowing
of long bones. Lack of vitamins can lead to visual impairments, poor healing, and
poor bone growth.

Diseases that come from environmental sources can have as strong an influence on
growth and development as genetically inherited diseases. Infants cared for in
neonatal intensive care units, for example, may develop some decrease in hearing
because of the over stimulation of sound, an example of health being directly
influenced by the environment. The quality of a child’s nutrition during the growing
years (including prenatally) has a major influence on health and stature. Poor maternal
nutrition may limit the growth and intelligence potential of a child from the moment
of birth. Children whose diets lack essential nutrients show inadequate physical
growth. A lack of energy and stamina prevents children from learning at their best
intellectual level.

The imbalance between declining energy expenditure due to physical inactivity and
high energy in the diet (excess calories whether from sugar, starches or fat) is the
main determinant of the obesity epidemic. Increasing physical activity, plus reducing
intakes of foods high in tat and foods and drinks high in sugars, can prevent unhealthy
weight gain. Taking these simple goals to concrete action requires major social and
environmental changes in order to effectively promote and support healthier choices
at he individual level.

Loss of food intake, weight loss and wasting were reported to be sources of
considerable anxiety for the family carers. Most family carers reflected that their
experience of nutrition care had been difficult and a significant component of overall
burden of care. They developed a range of practical strategies to address feeding and
nutrition challenges, including supervising meal times, avoiding disagreements over
food and providing regular snacks and finger foods. Family carers feel unsupported
and uninformed with respect to nutrition‐related care of individuals with dementia.
Health professionals need to enhance the support and education provided to family
carers, including recommending low‐risk strategies that have been tried and tested by
experienced family carers.
REFLECTION PAPER
According to genetic counselor in Newborn Screening started in the Philippines as
early as 1996, but was only passed into law in 2004. Since then, millions of babies
have been screened and thousands have been diagnosed and confirmed to have a
genetic condition. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and
therapists are part of the wholistic management of these conditions. Genetic
counselors are also part of this team and they can work with patients and their
families to inform them about the significance of the newborn screen result. They can
also provide a unique opportunity for the family to receive ongoing support,
information, and continuity of care all. In this presentation, the role of the
genetic counselor in the Newborn Screening Program will be discussed.