Go for 5-2-1-0
PASOO and Manila Doctors Hospital Joined Hands to
Promote Healthy Weight in Dr. Salvador Celedonio Elementary School
Sioksoan Chan-Cua, MD, MS, FPPS, FPSPME
Chief, Pediatric Endocrinology Section
Associate Professor, College of Medicines
UP-Philippine General Hospital
Immediate Past President, PASOO
Past President, PSPME
PASOO is a pioneer in the prevention and control of obesity and its complications in the Philippines. We
have been organizing activities and programs to promote healthy weight and also working toward an
obesity risk-free nation.
Since 2007, PASOO has paid attention to young population. We started by conducting the youth edition
“Wellness Workshop” and subsequently focused on “School-based Health Promotion Program”. Since
2009, we have conducted lectures and interactive games in 5 schools, including St. Andrew’s School in
Parañaque (2009 and 2010), St. Scholastica’s College in Manila (2009), St. Matthew School in San Mateo
(2009), Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila (2011) and Dr. Salvador Celedonio Elementary
School (2013 and 2014). Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) has adopted schools to promote ”Wellness” in
school children; it takes care of each school for three years. The most recent school selected is Dr.
Salvador Celedonio Elementary School. Having same goal to advocate HEALTH, PASOO and MDH joined
hands to organize healthy-related activity in Nutrition month. Last year, the theme was “Galaw Galaw,
Araw Araw ay Iwas Bigat, Iwas Sakit”. This year, the theme is “Tamang Timbang para sa Kalusugan: 5-21-0, GO Araw Araw!”
In the afternoon of July 28, the principal of the Dr. Salvador Celedonio Elementary School, Ms. Evelyn De
Vera, gave a warm welcome remark. Then, the current President of PASOO, Dr. Levy Jasul, gave the
“Overview of Childhood Obesity in the Philippines and Metro Manila”. He presented graphs to show the
upward trend of prevalence of childhood obesity. Obesity is associated with increased cardiometabolic
risks; the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity will decrease the early onset of cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes mellitus and strokes, and consequently the socio-economic burden due to noncommunicable diseases. Three consultants of MDH, including Dr. Cynthia Cuayo-Juico, Ediberto Garcia
and Sioksoan C. Cua (who is also the immediate past president of PASOO) gave lively visual powerpoint
presentation to emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyle that could be simplified as: “5-2-1-0”.
Yes, “5-2-1-0” is the magic number! Five means 5 servings of vegetables and fruits everyday. Vegetables
and fruits are good for the health because they are rich in vitamins and fibers. Two refers to 2 hours or
less recreational screen time daily. The children should not overuse e-gadgets to the point affecting the
sleep and causing academic and behavioral problems. One means everyday 1 hour or more of physical
activities that may be indoor or outdoor, consisting of aerobic, muscle and bone strengthening activities,
ranging from mild, moderate to vigorous intensity, or just household chores. Physical activity can help
children to stay at a healthy weight, to build their strength, flexibility and endurance, to enhance their
motor skills, social skills, and brain development. Zero is 0 sugary drinks. Excessive sugar added
beverages contain a lot of empty calories and contribute to obesity or increased fat in the body. One
can of regular soda may contain 40 grams or 10 teaspoons of sugar. The benefit of water is emphasized.
Ms. Cecile Neri, RND is a nutritionist in the PRO-HEALTH Clinic of MDH; she prepared quizzes to find out
if students and their parents understand and remember what they’ve learned from the lectures. We saw
many raising hands and active participation of the audience. There was also dance performance by
students and parents.
It is an afternoon with interaction, learning and fun!
The chairperson of the Department of Pediatrics, MDH, Dr. Jocelyn Yambao-Franco, gave the closing
remark and expressed appreciation to those who contributed to the activity. Thanks to the hard-working
pediatric residents who helped in organizing the event and coordinating with various key persons.
Indeed, Dr. Maria Myrtle Ballestero has done a lot of preparation including distribution of
questionnaires concerning health to the parents. She intended to collect relevant data and document
outcome on the school-based health promotion program. The pharmaceutical friends also showed
support to our activity. Roche, the maker of Accuchek, the glucose monitoring meter, sent a
representative to determine the capillary blood glucose of parent-participants for free. Johnson &
Johnson donated two One Touch glucose meters, one was given to the School Clinic and the other to
MDH Pediatric Clinic.