Results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) showed that prevalence of overweight and obesity was highest at 37.5 and 35.6 percent among Filipino female adults 40-59 and 50-59 years old, respectively. This condition poses a threat to the lives of many who are overweight and obese because of chronic diseases associated with them, like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), hypertension and diabetes.
On the other hand, according to the study conducted by Dr. Agdeppa et al. of the FNRI-DOST, high-calcium milk prevented the occurrence of obesity among post-menopausal women who consumed the drink for 16 weeks.
This study looked at the effect of high-calcium fortified low-fat milk drink with vitamin D and a low-calcium placebo drink on the height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference (WHC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) of post-menopausal women before and after the intervention.
The dietary intake assessment was based on the average of the two-day 24-hour food recall which was transformed into nutrient intake using the Individual Dietary Evaluation System (IDES) software.
Physical activity was assessed using a structured questionnaire and measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
About 60 qualified women who were at least five years post-menopausal were randomly grouped into Group 1 which received the high calcium milk and Group 2 which received the placebo drink.
Results showed that there were no significant increases in the anthropometric indices observed among subjects who took high-calcium fortified milk at the end of the study.
A significant increase, however, was observed in the weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences of the subjects who took the placebo drink.
Energy and nutrient intakes and physical activity levels were found to be not associated with the anthropometric measurements.
Findings showed that high-calcium milk prevented the occurrence of obesity among post-menopausal women who consumed the drink for 16 weeks.
The study recommends that consumption of high dietary calcium could be a useful part of an overall approach to prevent overweight and obesity among post-menopausal women. Preventing overweight and obesity could be taught in nutrition education and counseling sessions, as done by patients in need of losing weight through increased physical activity to obtain a better outcome.
For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service: Press Release – REGINA M. PAGASPAS)
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