The nutritional status of the Cordillera is improving, according to the National Nutrition Council.

During the regional launching of the revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, NNC Officer-In-Charge Ma. Eileen Blanco said over the past several years, the nutritional status of the region has been steadily improving.

Based on the 2011-2012 Operation TImbang results, Blanco said the number of malnourished children in the region has decreased.

Operation Timbang is conducted every first quarter of the year on zero to 71 months children to determine the malnourished ones.

Data generated are used for local nutrition action planning, particularly in quantifying the number of malnourished and identifying who will be given priority interventions in the community.

Blanco attributed the increase in awareness on the proper care for children.

"We educate the parents. We always tell them to feed their children with what is available in their area. They don't have to feed their children with expensive foods," Blanco said.

She added among the challenges they encountered are superstitious beliefs or attitudes of caregivers and parents, like a breastfeeding mother should not nurse when she is tired, and a mother who just gave birth should not eat fish.

Blanco also cited their partners in informing the public about the value of proper nutrition.- Maria Aprila W. Cruz (PIA-CAR)