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- Category: Region 3
Malnutrition is a broad term commonly used as an alternative to undernutrition, but technically, it also refers to overnutrition. People are malnourished if their diet does not provide adequate calorie and protein for growth and maintenance or they are unable to fully utilize the food they eat due to illness (undernutrition). They are also malnourished if they consume too many calories (overnutrition).
The World Health Organization cited that malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths, although it is rarely listed as the direct cause. Lack of access to highly nutritious foods, especially in the present context of rising food prices, is a common cause of malnutrition. Poor feeding practices, such as inadequate breastfeeding, offering the wrong foods and not ensuring that the child gets enough nutritious food, contribute to malnutrition.
In Central Luzon, the 2014 result of Operation Timbang Plus shows that out of the total 1,488,047 preschool children weighed, 62,005 or 4.17 % are underweight while 22,027 or 1.48% are overweight. There was a very slight decrease in the percentage of underweight from 4.21% in 2013 to 4.17% in 2014. However, the percentage of overweight has increased from 1.39% in 2013 to 1.48% in 2014. Two reasons cited why there was an increase in the percentage of overweight preschool children nowadays are sudden boom of computer games and extensive growth of fast food in the region, especially in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga. Among the seven provinces of Central Luzon, the highest prevalence rate of overweight was found in Pampanga with 2.29% (5084) and among the fourteen (14) cities, Malolos has prevalence rate of 4.51% (900). On the other hand, high prevalence of underweight preschool children was found in the province of Zambales with 9.69% (7,577) and Malolos City again with 7.75% (1,546). Both areas have higher prevalence rate above the regional prevalence of 4.17% which may be considered alarming. To eradicate the malnutrition cases in Central Luzon, the Regional and Local Nutrition Committees of Central Luzon have integrated nutrition in their programs and activities in the so-called nutrition action plans (Regional and LGUs Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition). Some of these programs are: 1) increasing food production activities among home, school and community; 2) full implementation of micronutrient supplementation and maternal and child health services; 3) provision of food assistance to malnourished preschooler and their families to improve their nutritional status; 4) reinforce utilization of fortified foods among households, market, schools and establishments; 5) massive campaign on proper nutrition and intensification of nutrition education, and; 6) other project innovations for the improvement of nutritional status of children Central Luzon.
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- Category: Region 3
On 29 January 2016, the National Nutrition Council in Central Luzon will spearhead a Regional Advocacy Meeting for Scaling Up Rice Fortification in the Philippines at the Hotel Stotsenberg, Clarkfield, Pampanga.
Mr. Hector C. Maglalang, Project Consultant from UNICEF, will present key results of the study entitled “Study on Rice Consumption for Social Safety Net Programs”. A workshop will be held to develop an action plan that includes policy, promotion and marketing components to increase consumption of iron-fortified rice particularly by government agencies, NGOs and LGUs.
The advocacy meeting, which aims to advocate for the use of iron fortified rice by national government agencies, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and local government units (LGUs) for their social safety net programs will be participated by the provincial/city nutrition action officers, provincial/city/municipal social welfare and development officers, national government agencies, suppliers of fortified kernels or iron-fortified rice, nongovernment organizations and local media partners in Central Luzon.
The project, a collaborative effort between the National Nutrition Council and the UNICEF, is in support of the Food Fortification Act of 2000 for the prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition.
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- Category: Region 3
The 10 Kumainments stickers sell like hot pan de sal among the tricycle and tri-bike drivers when NNC-Region III launched the “10 Kumainments on Wheels” in Gerona and Camiling, Tarlac on 13 November 2015.
In 2013, the NNC-Region III started the project of posting 10 Kumainments stickers tricycles and tri-bike wheelers as a venue to convey simple messages such as “Kumain ng iba’t ibang pagkain”, “Kumain ng gulay at prutas araw-araw”, and “Panatilihin ang tamang timbang” among the commuters.
Now on its third year, the project will be replicated in 14 selected municipalities of the 7 provinces in Central Luzon. Areas were selected based on the high prevalence of undernutrition, areas with highest number of tricycles and tri-bike wheelers and willingness of the tricycle operators and drivers association or TODA members to participate in the advocacy campaign on Promoting Good Nutrition through the 10 Kumainments messages.
The launch was graced by Dr. Abner Lagade and Ms. Sabina Garbin, Municipal Nutrition Action Officers of Camiling and Gerona, Tarlac, respectively. Highlights of the event included the discussion of the 10 Kumainments by NO III Angelita G. Pasos and the signing of the Pledge of Commitment by the members of the TODA.
From the Province of Tarlac, the “10 Kumainments on Wheels” will speed up and pedal its way to saturate the Provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales, in cooperation with the provincial and municipal nutrition committees.
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- Category: Region 3
Another ceremonial turn-over of 10 Kumainments Stickers was successfully conducted in the two municipalities of Aurora, namely San Luis and Dipaculao on 21-22 January 2016 with the presence of NO III Angelita M. Pasos and NO I Melany A. Orquia of NNC-Region III. The activity includes a short lecture on the 10 Kumainments messages; Reciting and Signing the Pledge of Commitment to support NGF-10 Kumainments on Wheels; Actual posting of the stickers inside the TODA tricycles and sharing of messages of support from the PNC/MNCs. Both activities were graced by the Local Chief Executives of both municipalities and participated also by PNAO Dr. Luisito G. Teh and DNPC Basilia V. Rovira.
A rainy Thursday afternoon on January 21, 2016 at the Municipal Plaza of San Luis, the meeting was attended by 40 participants, including the President and members of San Luis TODA, some RHU personnel and rural health physician, led by MNAO Michaela Gatmen. Mayor and MNC Chairperson, Annabelle C. Tangson has warmly welcomed and acknowledged the participants as active partners in promoting good nutrition in the communities. She also expressed her gratitude to NNC-Region III for including San Luis in this project and her willingness to support the regional nutrition program.
A sunny Friday morning on January 22, 2016 at the Amphitheater in Dipaculao, Mayor and MNC Chairperson, Reynante A. Tolentino was thankful that the municipality was chosen as one of the venues in the province for the project. He said he will support NNC-Region III in its endeavor to strengthen the promotion of good nutrition in Dipaculao. The meeting was also attended by 45 participants including the Presidents and members of DATODA, the RHU personnel led by MHO/MNAO Dr. Arturo Parilla, Jr. and the BNSes. The Chief of Police with his staff was also around to witness and support the campaign for the promotion of 10 Kumainments, relating to message no. 10 that says “maging aktibo, iwasan ang alak at huwag manigarilyo”.
PNAO Dr.Luisito G. Teh was thankful for both the NNC-III and the MNCs of San Luis and Dipaculao for the unwavering support to nutrition projects that will eventually help arrest hunger and malnutrition in the province. He also encouraged the participants to take this opportunity as another stride for an improved barangay nutrition program, involving the families of the TODA members. On the other hand, the Presidents of the TODA group claimed that they learned a lot during the short orientation, enjoyed the meeting and promised to cooperate in this project with zest and commitment.
As short interview with NO III Pasos by Mr. Bernie Rada, Head, News & Public Affairs of CLTV36 – RTV Baler capped the activity by sharing the nutrition status of Aurora Province as compared with the other provinces of Central Luzon and the reason why San Luis and Dipaculao were identified as the target municipalities in Aurora.
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- Category: Region 3
The National Nutrition Council-Region III, as chair of the Nutrition Cluster for Health Emergency Management System, conducts a 5-day live-in Training on Nutrition in Emergencies (NiEm) for the Provincial Nutrition Clusters on 12-16 October 2015 in Otel Pampanga, Skye Plaza Building, Lazatin Boulevard, City of San Fernando.
Participants are members of the Provincial Nutrition Clusters of Aurora and Zambales, as these provinces fall under PDP Category III or provinces prone to multiple hazards. The training team was composed of a course director from NNC-Regional III and trainer-facilitators from the National Economic and Development Authority, Office of the Civil Defense, DOH-Region III, HEMB-DOH III, ACF International Philippines, Aurora Province and Tarlac City.
The five-day training aims to build the capacity of health and nutrition workers and other partners to manage, prepare, and respond to emergencies and disasters. The workshop builds individual knowledge and skills while building a sense of teamwork and collaboration. Each LGU is expected to output a Provincial and Emergency Management Plan.
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- Category: Region 3
The National Nutrition Council Central Luzon spearheaded the Training on Creative Writing and Press Release for its technical staff and selected members of the Central Luzon Association of Nutrition Action Officers and Central Luzon Association of District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators.
The training, held on 2 December 2015 at the Conference Room of the DOH-RO III, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, aimed to capacitate the identified participants in writing creative articles on nutrition.
After the training, participants are expected to have written and released their news worthy articles in their local newspaper. Mr. Albert B. Lacanlale, Editor-in-Chief of the Central Luzon Newsweek and member of the Central Luzon Media Group, facilitated the training.
