The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology and the National Nutrition Council in Region 1 recently conducted the Regional Dissemination Forum on the 2015 Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Other Population Groups, at the Oasis Country Resort in San Fernando City, La Union last September 6, 2016 with the theme “Kumusta na ba ang Kalusugang Pang-nutrisyon ni Juan at Juana?”

The forum focused on the overview and rationale of the 2015 Updating Survey of the National Nutrition Survey which is conducted every five years. Other concerns were discussed such as the double burden of malnutrition/anthropometry, the maternal nutritional status and infant and young child feeding, dietary survey, emerging nutrition concerns, and food security.

During the forum, it was explained that the survey is based on Executive Order 128 Section 22 in 1987 which mandates FNRI to undertake research that defines the citizenry’s nutritional status with reference in particular to malnutrition, its causes and effects, and to identify alternative solutions for such problems.

The forum presented the nutritional status of the residents of Region 1, composed of the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. The results of the updating survey revealed that for children less than five years old, the underweight prevalence generally decreased among provinces except Ilocos Sur but stunting generally increased in all the four provinces. Wasting prevalence among children ages 0 – 5 decreased in all four provinces so as with the overweight-for-height decreased except in Ilocos Sur.

For children ages 5 – 10, underweight generally increased for all the provinces while stunting decreased except for the provinces of La Union and Ilocos Norte. Wasting prevalence generally decreased except for Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur while overweight decreased except in Pangasinan.

For the pre-adolescent and older children ages 10 -19, stunting prevalence generally decreased among provinces except for La union and still is of medium public health significant with 20-29%. Wasting prevalence generally decreased among provinces except for La Union and is still considered a serious public health concern with 10 – 14 %. For this age bracket, overweight and obesity prevalence generally increased among provinces except for Ilocos Norte.

For the adults or the group with who are in their 20’s and above, chronic energy deficiency prevalence generally decreased among provinces except in Ilocos Sur. Overweight and obese prevalence almost remained unchanged because despite decrease in Ilocos Norte and Sur, Pangasinan and La Union has increased in prevalence.

It was reported in the forum that the problem on stunting growth among children and young adults is caused by the improper nutrition and care given to pregnant women and infants for quite a long time and that effects of this is irreversible. Thus, the National Nutrition Council with the Department of Health has been promoting the need for quality nutrition and care for the first 1000 days of each child. (by Maricel Montemayor – Fronda)