Art from the Heart Exhibit launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

“We need to protect our children and their hearts from the dangers of trans fat.”

This was the statement of law group ImagineLaw with parents and parent groups during the Art from the Heart Exhibit launch this week at Fisher Mall in Quezon City. The said exhibit aims to raise public awareness on the need to eliminate trans fat through the enactment of the Trans Fat Free Philippines Bill, and features children’s artworks on heart health. The Department of Health (DOH), StoneHedge Learners (SHL), and Fisher Mall - Quezon Avenue served as co-organizers of the event.

Trans fat or trans fatty acids (TFA) is a toxic fat usually added as an ingredient in processed food commonly consumed by children like pre-baked goods such as doughnuts, biscuits, and cookies. The Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) reported that children below 6 years old are more exposed to TFA than the general public.

The Trans Fat Free Philippines Bill, currently pending in Congress, seeks to eliminate industrially-produced TFA in the country’s food supply.

 

Trans fat intake also increases the risk of developing hypertension according to Deputy Director Rita Papey of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) during the exhibit’s launch event. “Trans fat raises bad cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and can cause inflammation and damage to healthy organs and tissues,” she explained.

The artworks from young artists featured in the exhibit depicted their perceptions of heart health and nutrition and advocated for healthy eating habits. A 3-year-old artist created a fruit and vegetable sculpture that depicts how he takes care of his heart. Entitled “Carrot Man,” the sculpture aims to inspire fellow children to eat healthy food and remove trans fat from their bodies.

“Even children know that we need to take good care of our hearts. As their parents and guardians, we are responsible for the health and future of our children so we need to ensure the implementation of sustainable health measures,” Dir. Karen Lorenzana - Reyes, Executive Director of SHL said.

“While we recognize that health starts at home, a law banning trans fat from the food will help us provide them with nutritious diets and stronger health,” she added.

“We urge the incoming new administration and the elected government officials to heed our call to pass the Trans Fat Free Philippines Bill for the sake of our children’s health,” Atty. Mary Grace Anne Rosales - Sto. Domingo, ImagineLaw’s project manager emphasized.

The DOH, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines (NFP), and Nutritionist Dietitians-Association of the Philippines (NDAP) also affirmed their support for the legislation and other trans fat elimination initiatives.

The children’s advocacy art exhibit is open to the public until June 3 during mall hours. To know more about the trans fat elimination advocacy, visit transfatfreephilippines.org.