ILOILO City – The nutrition status of Western Visayas’ children is improving, according to the National Nutrition Council (NNC). The prevalence of various forms of malnutrition in 2020 was much lower than those in 2019.
But it’s too early to celebrate. NNC data showed stunting remains a concern among Antique’s children. Obesity is prevalent in Iloilo and Aklan has the highest number of wasting.
Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In 2019, Western Visayas had a prevalence rate of 7.64 percent. It dropped to 7.13 percent in 2020.
Meanwhile, WHO defines wasting as low weight-for-height. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss, although it can also persist for a long time.
It usually occurs when a person has not had food of adequate quality and quantity and/or they have had frequent or prolonged illnesses.
In 2019, Region 6 had a prevalence rate of 2.25. This dropped to two percent the following year.
Overweight and obesity, on the other hand, are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.
A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.
Western Visayas logged a 2.41 percent prevalence rate in 2020, lower compared to the 2.53 it recorded in 2019.
However, according to Regie Guillen, regional nutrition program coordinator of NNC, the current coronavirus pandemic is a concern vis-à-vis nutrition.
“We must not be complacent. We don’t have 2021 data yet. Local government units (LGUs) have yet to submit their reports as they are practically on COVID response pa,” he added.
Prevalence rates of stunting, wasting and obesity or overweight last 2020 were determined via the annual measurement of weight and length or height of all preschoolers, zero to 59 months old in a community. The program was dubbed as “Operation Timbang Plus” conducted by every LGU.
Guillen couldn’t say for sure what pushed the prevalence rates down “kay kinahanglan pa nga i-monitor sa sulod sang two or more years ang bata.”
However, he said programs on health and nutrition by the LGUs and partnered agencies could be a factor.
ANTIQUE – MOST STUNTED KIDS
The province of Antique had the highest prevalence of stunting among zero to 59 month olds or preschoolers in Region 6 in 2020.
NNC-6 data showed the province recorded 10.76 prevalence rate.
Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the WHO Child Growth Standards median.
Antique was followed by Iloilo province with 8.96 percent, Aklan – 8.64 percent, Negros Occidental – 7.73 percent, Guimaras – 6.85 percent, and Capiz – 5.38 percent.
The cities with the highest prevalence rate of stunting were San Carlos City – 14.15 percent, Himamaylan City – 11. 4 percent, Escalante City – 8.97 percent, Bacolod City – 7.72 percent, and Sagay City – 6.74 percent, all in Negros Occidental.
For municipalities, Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental topped the list with 27.69 percent, followed by Balasan (Iloilo) – 22.83 percent, Mina (Iloilo) – 18.85 percent, Tangalan (Aklan) – 18.25 percent, Carles (Iloilo) – 17.37 percent, and Pototan (Iloilo) – 16.52 percent.
ILOILO – MOST OBESE CHILDREN
The province of Iloilo recorded the highest prevalence rate in overweight or obese children in the region at 3.32 percent.
NNC-6 data in 2020 showed Capiz had 3.11 percent, Aklan – 2.88 percent, Guimaras – 2.79 percent, Antique – 2.39 percent, and Negros Occidental – 1.87 percent.
For cities, San Carlos City (Negros Occidental) got 3.7 percent, Roxas City (Capiz) – 2.82 percent, Passi City (Ilolio) – 2.78 percent, Victorias City(Negros Occidental) – 2.63 percent, and Iloilo City – 2.37 percent.
As to the towns, Mina (Iloilo) recorded the highest prevalence rate at 7.12 percent, New Washington (Aklan) – 6.9 percent, Pototan (Iloilo) – 6.53 percent, Balasan (Iloilo) – 5.86 percent, Pilar (Capiz) – 5.41 percent.
AKLAN – HIGHEST IN WASTING
The province of Aklan topped the region’s provinces and highly urbanized cities with the highest prevalence of wasting. NNC-6 recorded 3.14 percent in 2020, folowed by Antique – 2.1 percent, Negros Occidental – two percent, Iloilo- 1.93 percent, Capiz – 1.74 percent, and Guimaras – 1.23 percent.
For cities, San Carlos City logged 6.06 percent, Escalante City – 3.66 percent, Sipalay City – 2.05 percent, Himamaylan City – 2.05 percent, and Sagay City – 1.74 percent, all in Negros Occidental.
For the towns, Don Salvador Benedicto (Negros Occidental) had the highest prevalence rate of wasting at 7.03 percent, followed by Balasan (Iloilo) – 6.80 percent, New Washington (Aklan) – 6.64 percent, Anilao (Iloilo) – 6.45 percent, and Mina (Iloilo) – 5.44 percent.
INTERVENTIONS
NNC-6 urges parents, especially mothers, to focus more on the nutrition of their child in their first 1,000 days – the first day of being pregnant to the child’s 24 months (two years).
July is Nutrition Month. This year’s celebration theme is “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1,000 days tutukan!”
“Stunting occurs in the womb kasi part na sia ng first 1,000 days. Now, ‘pag sinabing chronic under nutrition meaning stunting, it affects the brain development of the child both physical and mental development. So, ‘yon ‘yong naging cause kung bakit naging bansot,” said Guillen.
He added: “Sabi ng nutrionists dapat there are about 700 neurons in the brain that should be developing while in pregnancy. Ang stunted na child, half lang nun ang na-develop na brain neurons…” “‘Yung neurons makes up the brain composition and the brain that is being affected or part of the brain that is being affected ay comprehension, behavioral, and then physical and mental development, that’s why nagabansot,” Guillen furthered.
The NNC official also emphasized the importance of giving proper food to the child from the time he/she is born until six months.
“If they don’t have food proper from birth to six months and onwards, ‘yong zero to six na dapat breast feeding. ‘Yon ang isa na key intervention na mag-arrest sa stunting,” Guillen said.
Meanwhile, local government units (LGUs) really need to focus on the first 1,000 days of the child, Guillen said.
“This (first 1,000 days) is a critical window that will make sure that children will achieve their physical and mental development,” he added.
Mothers and LGUs are advised to likewise focus on the following:
* at least four prenatal visit in the first trimester (pregnant moms)
* 180 tablet of iron folic acid supplementation
* take protein energy supplementation
* exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months,
* age appropriate complimentary feeding with continue breastfeeding,
* micronutrient supplementation like vitamin A
The NNC-6 commenced the 47th Nutrition Month celebration on Monday morning with a motorcade on major streets in this city.
Personnel of the NNC-6 distributed nutrition campaign flyers./PN
