National Nutrition Council MIMAROPA Region conducted its first ever Nutrition Sharing Session via Facebook live. The back-to-back activity featured discussions on stunting as the 2020 Nutrition Month theme and also served as a prelude for the Breastfeeding Awareness Month this August.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms. Ma. Eileen Bringas - Blanco gave a welcome message, enjoining all online followers and viewers to engage and participate in the online discussions and games in between.
During the first part of the discussion, NNC MIMAROPA staff provided an introduction on NNC’s mandate and on the history of Nutrition Month celebrations in the country. Presidential Decree 491 (Nutrition Act of the Philippines) mandated on 25 June 1974 institutionalized the creation of the National Nutrition Council as the country’s highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition. PD 491 also declared July as Nutrition Month to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos.
The theme focus for 2020 Nutrition Month is on stunting. Stunting is a kind of malnutrition which is defined as having a height that is too short for a child’s age. It is an outcome of prolonged poor nutrition, inadequate care and psychosocial stimulation and repetitive infections experienced during the first 1,000 days of life. The first 1,000 days consist of 270 days (pregnancy), 365 days (first year of the baby) and 365 days (second year of the baby).
Stunting is irreversible; however, it can be prevented by prioritizing the maternal and child health through a) proper nutrition from the first day of pregnancy, b) access to nutrition and health services to improve birth outcomes, c) monthly monitoring of height and weight of the baby and d) exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months then introduce complementary foods at 6 months together with breastmilk.
Effects of stunting include reduced learning capabilities, poor school performance, poor brain development, less income, less productivity, at-risk of becoming overweight or obese, prone to non-communicable and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer and altered behavior.
How alarming is stunting in our country? Philippines ranked fifth among East Asia countries and is ranked ninth worldwide with the highest rate of stunting. The WHO classified the prevalence of stunting in the Philippines as a public health problem with a high in magnitude and severity which equivalents to 3.5 to 4 million children affected. According to the 2018 ENNS of FNRI-DOST, 30% or 1/3 of the Filipino children under five years old are identified as stunted and it is highest among children aged 12 to 23 months old with 36.6%. According to the 2019 e-OPT Results of MIMAROPA Region, 15.3% or 3 out of 20 children aged 0 to 59 months old are stunted.
The activity was highlighted with Atty. Abigail Co-Floreza, the Founding President of Breastfeeding Pinays briefly explaining the myths and FAQs about breastfeeding amid COVID-19.
Atty. Co-Floreza explained that breastmilk is cost-efficient and acts as a vaccine because it contains antibodies that protect the baby from unwanted diseases and has complete nutrients needed by the baby for optimum growth and development. This is important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ang breastfeeding ay importante araw-araw, meron man o walang COVID-19”, she highlighted.
Evidences have shown that coronavirus cannot be transmitted through breastmilk. Thus, breastfeeding should still be continued at all times while practicing proper hygiene to avoid transmission. For mothers with or without mild symptoms, she must frequently wash her hands and wear a surgical mask before carrying the baby. For mothers with severe symptoms, cup feeding can be practiced, but it is important to ensure that the cup is well sanitized and dry nurse must practice proper hygiene etiquette as well. This is important as babies should not be provided with face masks.
Atty. Co-Floreza then continued to stress the importance of the Unang Yakap Protocol immediately after giving birth. She quoted that “Unang Yakap Protocol will help the mother and the baby to have a smooth breastfeeding journey”. Compliance to the Unang Yakap protocol helps to increase milk supply, regulate baby’s heartbeat, provide warmth and comfort to the baby, and ensures that the baby is provided with enough iron through delayed cord clamping.
Struggling breastfeeding mothers can seek support from health centers, online consultation by the Department of Health, and breastfeeding counselors from Facebook groups like Breastfeeding Pinays where reliable information on breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding are shared.
Two exciting yet brain challenging nutrigames were prepared after every session which served as an evaluation to test how well the viewers listened to the discussions.
(NKSLoyola)
