The City Health Services Office here on Tuesday once again reminded residents to watch their diet during festivities this holiday season.

“We have to watch out the food we eat as we attend numerous parties,” Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, city health officer, said in a phone interview.

“Let us not forget that we can have fun during Christmas parties without being exposed to health problems.”

Brillantes urged party organizers to consider including healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and those that are not high on oil and salt in their menu.

She also said that party-time can be enjoyed without extending up to the wee hours in the morning.

Brillantes noted that unhealthy food and lifestyle could trigger hypertension, especially to those who are already diagnosed with it.

Data from the City Health Services Office show that there were 10,705 hypertension cases, equivalent to a rate of 2,775.90 per 100,000 population, reported in the city from January to September this year.

Hypertension, the health office said, overtook acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURTI) as the top cause of morbidity in the city.

Hypertension is a lifestyle disease attributed to sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, stress and inadequate physical activity.

Brillantes said with hypertension now becoming the leading illness in the city, they are refocusing their programs, funds and priorities to address it.

The city recently launched Project ManEkJad to encourage walking and biking to office or school among its residents, as the two are considered the easiest and cheapest forms of exercise.

ManEkJad is a combination of the Ibaloi words “Manekad” (to walk) and “Mansekjad” (to bike). (PNA)