DOH PROMOTES DASH DIET IN ILOCOS REGION TO PREVENT, MANAGE HYPERTENSION

THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region, in partnership with the Ilocos Sur Medical Center (ISMC), recently conducted D.A.S.H. (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) Diet Recipe and Cooking Contest to residents of Bgy Borobor in the town of Galimuyod, one of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas in the province of Ilocos Sur.

A total of ten entries or teams participated and were selected from their promotional cooking videos submitted and uploaded on the Facebook page of RHU of Galimuyod.

Three contestants were chosen to showcase their culinary expertise and vied for the grand prize during the one-day contest held at the Bileg Multi-Purpose Center. 

A cash prize of P15,000 was awarded to the first prize winner, P12,000 for the second winner and P10,000 for the third prize. A total of P3,000 each was given as consolation prize. 

Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that the DASH Diet is a proactive approach to preventing and managing hypertension through mindful food choices.

“It is also an eating plan recommended for people suffering from hypertension,” Sydiongco said.

“It recommends and encourages eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, including fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils and limiting foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils such as coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils. It also limits the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and juices.,” she said.

She added that the DASH Diet provides weekly nutritional goals without requiring special food preparation and recommends eating foods rich in potassium, magnesium, fiber and antioxidants. 

The activity was held in Bgy. Borobor to promote healthy recipes and lessen the prevalence of hypertension.

Barangay Borobor listed a total of 19 males and 25 females with hypertension. The municipality of Galimuyod has a total of 1,042 individuals who are hypertensive. 

Ilocos Sur Medical Center chief Angel D. Trinidad, said that cardiovascular diseases or CVDs is increasing and are now affecting children as young as 12 years old and one of its risk factors is hypertension.

“It is a silent killer because most people with hypertension does not even know they have it until they are diagnosed,” Trinidad said.

“It is important to focus on the preparation of heathy foods, especially at home, and limit the intake of processed foods and unhealthy foods such as fast foods,” Trinidad added. 

The activity was also attended by Galimuyod Mayor Jessie Balingsat, barangay captain Nido Bugarin, Provincial DOH Office representative Danny Javier, ISMC-Public Health Unit head Dr. Joseph Pascua, Provincial Health Office (PHO) nutritionist Cristie Ferino and Health Education and Promotion officer Josef Dominick Bello. 

The “KaHeartner Sa Kusina” DASH Diet Recipe and Cooking Contest is a people-centered activity included in the Health Promotion Framework Strategy 2030, which aims to promote health literacy through the conduct of community health promotion playbooks.