Koronadal City—Four out 10 children aged five years old in SOCCSKSARGEN are stunted, according to the National Nutrition Survey. Mae Flores, Regional Nutrition Officer, hopes to decrease the number by 2.4 percent annually in the next five years to be able to meet the target for stunting. “In South Cotabato, the town of Tboli is on the top list of municipalities with the high prevalence rate of stunting among 71 months old and below.
Meanwhile, Flores stressed out that 7 out of 100 children below five years old are wasted or thin and considered a public health problem.
On the other hand, the NNC report also revealed that six out of 100 children in the region aged six years old to 10 years old are thin. “This is also considered a public health problem,” Flores explained.
Of the 4 provinces in the region, only Sarangani have a prevalence rate less than the five-year plan target, she further explained.
“For the region and the rest of the LGUs we must be able to have a .05% to 1% reduction a year for 5 yrs to attain the PPAN Target,” Flores said.
Flores also noted the region needs to have a 0.56 or 1% reduction a year to achieve the PPAN Targets for six-year-old to 10-year-old age bracket.
Meanwhile, in terms of the extent of effect because of wasting and stunting, the top three areas are General Santos City with the highest magnitude of Wasting at 4198 followed by Kidapawan City at rank 2 with 2014 and Koronadal City at rank 3 with 1065, Flores said.
However, in South Cotabato, the City of Koronadal and the town of Lake Sebu are in the top 20 list of cities and municipalities with the high prevalence of wasting and stunting among pre-school children.
“To combat this health problem, we need to reduce micronutrient deficiencies,” Flores said, stressing the importance of Vitamin A supplementation.
The record showed children between six months old to five years old are most affected by anemia in the region but Regional NNC said VItamin A deficiency in the region as mild
The group most affected by anemia in Region XII was the group of children six months to 5yrs old at 13.5%.
“We have 5 years more to work in order to attain our targets. With the same and equal desire, determination and commitment we will all be successful with our vision,” Flores added.
By Anna Liz Cabrido| Nutri-DOSE
