The National Nutrition Council – NCR (NNC-NCR) enjoins the public to work together and end all forms of malnutrition by scaling up nutrition actions in the first 1000 days of life as the main message of this year’s Nutrition Month Celebration with the theme, “Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 Days tutukan!”.
This year’s Nutrition Month campaign aims to: 1) educate the public on the First 1000 Days of life and the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) as the country’s framework to combat malnutrition; 2) encourage collaboration among various stakeholders to scale up nutrition actions to address malnutrition especially during the first 1000 days; and, 3) engage stakeholders for nutrition actions.
Malnutrition can be prevented particularly during the first 1000 days of life. This is the period from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday. Dubbed as the “golden window of opportunity”, it is the best time to provide good nutrition for both the mother and child to ensure the child’s proper growth and development.
In a video launched last July 1, 2021, entitled “Tanong Mo, Sagot Ko: ABKD ng F1K”, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa Federizo emphasized the ABAKADA ng First 1000 Days as the key actions that we must do to contribute to the reduction of malnutrition, particularly stunting.
In the video, RNPC Federizo answered questions from the audience on how to achieve good nutrition during the first 1000 days of life. She also explained that local officials should support the first 1000 days in their communities by formulating their local nutrition action plans (LNAPs) with focus on the First 1000 Days program and ensuring that nutrition programs get adequate budget and personnel to deliver nutrition services in the communities.
For better recall, RNPC Federizo encouraged the public to remember the ABAKADA messages:
- A - Alagaan ang mga buntis
- B – Breastfeeding kay baby
- K – Komplementary feeding na sapat
- D – Dapat lahat suportado ang PPAN
Lastly, RNPC Federizo encouraged everyone to work together to eliminate all forms of malnutrition. “Kayang kaya kung sama-sama. Make sure na healthy si baby sa kaniyang First 1000 Days of life,” RNPC Federizo said. She added, “Suportahan natin ang PPAN dahil sa PPAN, panalo ang bayan”.
Written by: NOII Theresa A. Rivas and NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
Reference: 2021 Nutrition Month Talking Points
