Students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 in Tanza National High School gather in a classroom to collectively engage in an online learning session facilitated by PIA-NCR (File photo) 

Adolescence is a formative stage where individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 years begin to make independent choices, especially in terms of body autonomy. 

During this time, young adults are navigating a challenging phase of exploring their identities, building relationships, and forming beliefs which can have a lasting impact on their future. 

In the Philippines, adolescents comprise 21.5 percent of the country’s total population. In effect, this period of significant growth and development highlights the need to guide adolescents in making informed decisions and shaping a sense of responsibility to their choices. 

In line with this objective, the Philippine Information Agency - National Capital Region (PIA-NCR) recently launched a Youth Empowerment Series (YES) aimed at empowering adolescents to learn essential decision-making skills that can help them walk through the complexities of adulthood. 

The first leg of YES was conducted among the student learners of Tanza National High School in (TzNHS) Navotas City. This is following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PIA-NCR and TzNHS for the implementation of a targeted skills enhancement program in a bid to establish informed communities. 

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At least 90 student learners from junior to senior high school were gathered in an online learning session entitled “Kainan Na! Pwede ba sa’yo to?” which anchored critical discussions on good adolescent nutrition and responsible sexuality. 

Here’s a glimpse of what they learned about these topics:

Healthy behaviors in adolescence make healthy adults 

Nutrition Officer Theresa Rivas of the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-NCR cited the importance of investing in adolescent health due to the increased nutritional demand brought by the rapid physical and mental growth during this period.

“We are what we eat. Kung healthy po ang ating kinakain, paniguradong magiging healthy din ang inyong pangangatawan,” Rivas stressed. 

(Translation: We are what we eat. If we are eating healthy, your bodies will be healthy as well)

According to Rivas, nearly 35 percent of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) takes root in the adolescent stage. These include cancer, diabetes, as well as cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. 

This is why adolescence is referred to as the ‘second window of opportunity’ to promote nutrition. As adolescents undergo an important developmental transition, proper guidance can help them make informed choices about food. 

By having a strong grasp of the impact of food choices on their overall health and well-being, adolescents can cultivate lifelong eating practices that support the development of optimal nutritional status. 

Poor eating habits significantly affect school performance 

The consequences of poor nutrition among adolescents commonly rise as a result of unhealthy eating habits. Among these are slow growth and development, lowered immunity, and impaired learning ability. 

There is a direct correlation between nutrition and education. By instilling a healthy practice of eating nutritious food, students can have better cognitive function which is an essential element in fostering positive learning experiences. 

Good nutrition also contributes to the academic performance of students. Maintaining healthy eating habits will allow them to stay active and productive. 

Rivas emphasized the importance of eating “go, grow, and glow” foods to help the body meet its nutritional requirements. 

Responsible sexuality is a key to prevent adolescent pregnancy 

Population Program Officer Dominie Busacay of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD)-NCR meanwhile shed light on the complex reality of adolescent pregnancy in the country. 

Busacay cited the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which demonstrates the increase in adolescent mothers (aged 10 to 14 years) from 2,320 in 2021 to 3,135 in 2022. 

There are many interdependent factors that lead to unintended pregnancy during the period of adolescence but among the primary one is having inadequate information about sexuality. 

“The lack of knowledge and understanding on adolescent sexuality is brought about by the fear and stigma of discussing sexuality-related matters within the family,” Busacay noted. 

For adolescents to make responsible choices, it is crucial for the family and community as a whole to welcome conversations about sexuality instead of treating this topic as a ‘social taboo.’

By providing a safe space for adolescents, we can help these young individuals counteract misleading beliefs regarding relationships and other poor health-seeking behaviors. 

Making informed choices is an essential life skill

Have you heard of the saying “your body, your rules?” 

While it is an empowering outlook, the practice of making independent decisions in life necessitates more than just choosing a course of action. 

Informed decisions are rather products of careful evaluation of the situation and its potential  implications on your future. 

For instance, by assessing the economic cost of early pregnancy, adolescents might be able to gain insight into how it will affect their projected professional life or career trajectory. 

On a similar note, through weighing the advantages and disadvantages of eating healthy food, young individuals are presented with the opportunity to take control of their nutrition based on the options available to them. 

The YES program of the PIA-NCR is generally geared towards improving the critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities of the youth to enable their efficacy in contributing to nation-building. 

With the successful rollout of the first YES, more young individuals are expected to take an active role in shaping the country’s future.

To know more of the program and other related initiatives please visit PIA-NCR’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PIAMetroManila/. (JMP/PIA-NCR)