Mothers, pregnant women high on list of nutrition problems
REGION 1 ranked fourth in the country in terms of malnutrition problems relating to lactating mothers and pregnant women.
“Ang problematic category dito sa atin ay ang mga underweight lactating mothers at nutritionally at risk pregnant women kung saan tayo ay pang-apat sa buong Pilipinas,” said Regional Nutrition Officer Victoria Mañez citing the results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 2008.
Iron deficiency was high among lactating women and children 6-12 years old.
Overall, however, Mañez said Region 1 fared better than most other regions.
Region 1 ranks 9th and 12th in the number of underweight (26.1%) and underweight (23.9%) children in the zero to five years old category; 13th and 12th in the 6-11 year old category.
Bicol Region has the highest number of underweight children with 33.8 percent while the Cordillera Autonomous Region has the lowest number with 19.9 percent.
ERADICATING MALNUTRITION
The nutrition office, together with other agencies, are currently touring and evaluating 10 towns and cities for the Search for Child Friendly Local Government Units. The entries include the cities of Urdaneta, Laoag, Vigan and Candon and the towns of Sta. Cruz, San Vicente, Tagudin, Santol, Agoo and Pinili in Ilocos Norte.
In Dagupan City, Nutrition Action Officer Leah Aquino, called on parents to lead in the promotion of proper nutrition and hygiene.
Aquino said even if the government embarks on a massive feeding and deworming program, a child will remain malnourished if the home is dirty and a good diet is not served.
She also stressed that economic status is not a reason for malnutrition, citing that even children who have enough to eat may not have ample appetite due to anemia or other sickness.
Aquino said the city’s nutrition program is integrated in all the 44 day care centers in the city. (PIA-Pangasinan)
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