Malnutrition among Ilonggo pre-schoolers decline
The prevalence of malnutrition among pre-school children in Iloilo has decreased from 40.8 percent in 1998 to 14.85 percent in 2006.
This was disclosed by Iloilo Provincial Nutrition Program Coordinator Rosmarie San Luis in an interview recently.
Data obtained showed that the prevalence of malnutrition among pre-schoolers in the province was recorded at 40.8 percent in 1998, it went down to 20.4 percent in 2004, 16.7 percent in 2005 and 14.85 percent last year.
San Luis attributed the decline to the integrated nutrition, health, agriculture and environment programs being implemented by the provincial government and the different municipal nutrition councils.
San Luis said these programs have contributed a lot in addressing the health and nutrition problems of the province for the past years.
"Some of these programs were even recognized in the whole country because of its impact to its beneficiaries," she said.
She cited the Milk Supplementation Program "Batang Ilonggo, Palangga Ka" of the provincial government which was chosen recently as one of the Top Five Most Outstanding Health and Nutrition Programs in the country by Nestle Philippines winning P100,000 cash prize and a trophy.
The MSP-BIP KA was nominated to the Nestle Philippines Search in October 2006.
San Luis added that there are also two other entries from the province that were included in the top ten of the said search. These are the School Health Integrated and Nutrition Program of Badiangan and the Health and Nutrition Services Program of Sta. Barbara.
San Luis said the drop in the cases of malnutrition in Iloilo should inspire all concerned to do more to improve the nutritional status of the malnourished children as she urged to further strengthen nutrition education.
"We need to strengthen nutrition education to effect behavioral changes in food and eating practices especially among the children and youth," said San Luis.
(PIA)