Health@Heart
RP Health Stats
Recently released 2003 statistics by the Sixth National Nutrition Survey and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and technology revealed that heart and kidney disease and stroke are the three leading illnesses in the Philippines. The culprits blamed are nutrition and poor lifestyle, like bad diet (high-fat, high-cholesterol and high-carbohydrates, rice and sweets), smoking, alcohol abuse, and sedentary life (lack of exercise). For years, we have been hammering on these in our health column.
The risk factors reported in the study are android ("apple-shape") obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and dyslipemia (abnormally high cholesterol/lipid fats in the blood). The survey is taken every five years, and last year's report just came out now.
The report of the FNRI-DOST showed that 22 out of 100 Filipino adults are hypertensive (BP of 140/90 or higher). Starting from age 40, the blood pressure rises, unless pre-emptive lifestyle changes are initiated two decade or more before this age. Forty percent of those in the ages between 20 to 29 already have pre-hypertensive findings. Healthier lifestyle could prevent hypertension from setting in
in majority of these individuals.
The study also showed that while android obesity (accumulation of fat around the abdomen) was seen in 3.1% of men, this was prevalent in about 18.3% of women. This condition is identified by measuring the waist to hip circumference ratio. In 54.8% of women in the study had a high waist-hip ration, compared to 12.1% among males. These two figures are too high for comfort and health.
Filipino adults have about 3.4% incidence of diabetes mellitus. Among those 40 to 59 years old, the prevalence has significantly increased over the years. This metabolic disease of abnormally high blood level of glucose (sugar) is a chronic illness that lead to various complications, like bouts of fainting dizziness and spells that go with the blood glucose fluctuation, coronary heart disease, visual disturbances/blindness, kidney failure, circulatory problems in the legs, etc. Bad diet and lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise, rice, bread, cakes, ice cream, sweets, fatty foods, and high total caloric intake) is a major factor in the development of adult onset diabetes.
There are more than 300,000 Filipinos who suffer from Diabetes Mellitus. In the United States, there are about 16 million diabetics and about 1800 new cases are diagnosed each year. A newborn has about 33% chance of developing diabetes, if the mother does not live a healthy lifestyle a decade or more, preconception.
The survey also studied the prevalence of dyslipemia (simply put: abnormally high bad cholesterol and very low level of good cholesterol in the blood). Surprisingly the report said revealed that the "mean level of total cholesterol among Filipinos adults are within normal levels."
We take exception to this confusing statement. Total cholesterol alone, does not give the accurate picture. One needs a complete Lipid Profile blood test to make the proper "diagnosis." Saying that the total cholesterol level "was normal" could give the wrong impression that the person is healthy, and nothing needs be done. This could mis-inform and give a dangerous signal.
The findings among Filipino patients in general indicate the opposite: a significant number in our population (especially those in the affluent society) have high levels of cholesterol and lipids, high level of bad cholesterol and low level of good cholesterol. Knowing our culture and tradition, where the diet consists mainly of high-cholesterol, high-fat, high-carbohydrate, high-salt foods, and our sedentary lifestyle, I question the description "within the normal levels" in the survey.
Obviously, further and more extensive studies are needed, including a complete Lipid Profile, and perhaps, targeting people in the rural areas and in the bigger cities, to get a broader cross section. And I might add, including children, five and older, if we are to prevent these adult illnesses from developing by pre-emptive strategy among the young. After all, prophylaxis – prevention - is the key.