To serve as check on the increasing number of overweight cops, the Philippine National Police is conducting an eight-week weight loss challenge for all police force based at the national headquarters.
The PNP Health Service, in cooperation with Herbalife International, is conducting the PNP’s Health Awareness Campaign and Pulis Pangkalusugan Program.
The said weight loss challenge started last May 30 for its first screening and assessment at the Health Service Auditorium in Camp Crame. It will last until July 18 for the final evaluation.
The PNP Health Service has announced that 3,283 officers and employees of the PNP national headquarters were overweight while 588 were obese. The PNP has a total of 6,253 personnel assigned to Camp Crame out of more than 145,000 nationwide.
Meanwhile, at least 2,376 camp personnel had normal weights, while six were underweight.
“Today’s lifestyle and environmental conditions have made millions of us deficient in various nutrients needed for best health resulting to risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity,” Health Service Director, Senior Superintendent Ma Angela Vidal said.
Aside from the screening and assessment, the weigh-week weight loss challenge will also include weekly health education lectures on why it is hard to lose weight (conducted on the first screening), calories and exercise, water, healthy breakfast, protein fats, metabolism, sugar/carbohydrates/dining out, and stress.
PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome Jr. has warned that all cops could lose their jobs if they are not physically fit.
PNP Spokesperson Senior Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. has stressed that per PNP regulations, failing Physical Fitness Test ratings are grounds for separation from the service.
The test involves a middle-distance run, pull-ups, pushups and sit-ups, as well as an electrocardiogram and body mass indexing.
