MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) stressed that regular physical activity such as sports is an ideal form of preventive medicine that reduces the risk of getting sick from respiratory and heart diseases, including cancer.

DOH Undersecretary Enrique Tayag said sports and physical activities in combination with other factors such as a healthy diet will definitely improve the health of Filipinos.

In Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP) sa Kamayan forum in Manila, Tayag said there is an urgent need to act on the increasing rate of people who suffer from communicable diseases including stroke, heart attack and even cancer.

"Pabata na ng pabata ang nagkakaroon ng stroke at atake sa puso," Tayag said.

The prime factor contributing to these diseases, Tayag said, are poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

Aside from a healthy diet, Tayag said Filipinos must regularly exercise or indulge in sports such as swimming and taekwondo to destress, build muscles, and improve one's health against diseases.*PNA