The Ifugao Provincial Health Office continues to monitor the progress of the participants to the “Biggest Loser Challenge”, which was launched in April to combat overweight and obesity among employees of the provincial government.
Through the initiative of PHO Nurse Jodelyn May C. Namingit, the challenge is being implemented to address health-related problems and to intensify the information, education, and communication campaign on healthy lifestyles such as having a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and alcohol.
According to the Human Resource and Management Office, the top four diagnoses among the province’s employees in 2022 are related to unhealthy lifestyles, namely hypertension, hyperucima, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus based on the yearly medical check-up of employees of the provincial government.
“We are expecting that they will be able to meet their expected weight and stick to a healthy diet,” Namingit said.
The competition was open to all interested employees with no medical restrictions. Those who underwent surgical intervention for weight loss within one year, those who have cardiac diseases, a history of syncope, orthopedic problems, uncontrolled asthma, diabetes, hypertension, or electrolyte abnormalities, and those who are pregnant are not allowed to participate.
On April 14, the initial weigh-in of the 172 challengers from the different departments of PLGU was recorded along with their registration. The qualifications for the ‘Biggest Loser Challenge’ must be overweight or obese and has the passion to lose weight.
The Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) led by Marlei Ynna A. Malingan advised the participants to follow a healthy diet to reach their ideal weight on the final weigh-in.
Malingan said the competition will still follow health precautions for the participants’ safety.
The weight loss percentage will determine the winners from the initial weigh-in to the final weigh-in on July 14.
First place winners will receive P15,000; P10,000 for the second; P5,000 for the third place winner. Ten consolation winners will receive P1,000 each.
Elaine Immota, Admin Officer I and a participant in the activity said that as a working individual, she gets tired when she gets home. She lacks exercise and she sits for long hours at the workplace.
She said she has difficulty maintaining her health, which leads to weight gain due to the nature of her work.
Even though the competition is a three-month-long activity, the PHO expects the participants to continue their healthy diet after the competition.
Aside from the Biggest Loser Challenge, the PHO continues to promote health and wellness programs for the employees to boost their mood and enhance their productivity, primarily because they serve the public. – Perlita A. Cando
