DOH urges youth to curb 'bad habits' during the holidays

The Department of Health - Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) urged the youth to curb "bad habits and practices" relating to food and safety this holiday season.

During the launching of the Ligtas Christmas 2025 at the Malinta National High School in Valenzuela, DOH shared that the holiday season saw an increase in holiday heart syndrome symptoms, incidents of road crashes, and firecracker-related injuries nationwide.

“This is a call for a safer, healthier, and healthier Christmas for every family in the Philippines. Every holiday season, like Christmas, there are more and more accidents on the streets," said DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Lester Tan in his keynote speech.

“Sa mga handaan natin o during holidays, mas maraming mga kabataan ang nai-expose sa mga mga paputok at nae-expose sa mga accident, kaya nag-focus tayo sa mga kabataan kayong Pasko,” he added in an ambush interview.

(During our celebrations or during the holidays, more children are exposed to fireworks and exposed to accidents, which is why we are currently focusing on the youth this Christmas.)

Data from DOH-MMCHD during the 4th Quarter of 2024 showed the following data for the National Capital Region

• 50,502 adults had risks for hypertension
• 16,279 adults had Type 2 diabetes
• 110,613 adults were obese
• 37,936 adults were binge drinkers
• 25,577 adults were smokers

The agency also recorded 422 firecracker-related injuries in the region from December 21, 2024 to January 6, 2025, which is 31% higher than the cases from the previous year.

As a response, DOH-MMCHD’s Ligtas Christmas 2025 program highlighted three main components for a safer, healthier holiday season.

To avoid increasing cases of hypertension and obesity, the program “Tamang Pagkain, Ehersisyo, at Disiplina” highlighted the use of “Pinggang Pinoy” and consumption of complete Go, Grow, and Glow foods in the correct portions amid celebrations.

They also warned against binge drinking and reminded the public to consume food at appropriate times even in the course of gatherings.

“BiyaHealthy,” meanwhile, emphasized the importance of adhering to road safety practices like wearing helmets and getting adequate rest before driving.

DOH recalled the acronym BLOW-BAG-SET (Brakes, Lights, Oil, Water, Batteries, Accessories, Gas, Self, Electrical, Tires) which was a basic checklist drivers must always check before driving.

Lastly, the “Iwas Paputok” campaign urged participants to refrain from the use of fireworks and to seek safer alternatives.

“Dito sa ating mga kabataan ay pinapaliwanag natin sa kanila yung tamang pagkain, lalong lalo na tuwing holiday season, at of course pinapaliwanag rin natin sa kanila ang ating be healthy, yung road safety at saka yung iwas paputok,” Tan shared.

(We are explaining to our youth about proper eating, especially during the holiday season, and of course we are also explaining about being healthy, road safety, and avoiding fireworks.)

“Ang gusto natin ay mas maintindihan ang mga kabataan itong ating mga mensahe. Pagbalik nila sa kanilang mga tahanan ay maibabahagi nila ito sa kanilang pamilya, sa kanilang mga kaibigan, sa kanilang mga komunidad. [Kapag] mas naintindihan ng mga kabataan ay mas maintindihan din ang kanilang pamilya,” he added.

(What we want is for the children to better understand our messages. When they return to their homes, they can also share this with their families, friends, and their communities. [If] the youth understands this, it will be better understood by their families.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News