RNPC Reginaldo T. Guillen, Nutrition Officer III Sheryl C. Sedantes, and PNFP of Iloilo Heda V. Suing warmly welcomed the Helen Keller International team during their courtesy call/meeting with the National Nutrition Council Region VI on November 18, 2021.

In preparation for the nutritional impact evaluation, HKI Intl embarked on a Screening Study titled “Assessment of vitamin A status among schoolchildren living in high-risk areas of the Philippines,”. It aims to characterize the nutritional status of schoolchildren (6-9 years old) in two areas of the Philippines assumed to be at high risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Micronutrient deficiencies, also called "hidden hunger" among Filipino children are protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA), and Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) as identified under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022. Vitamin A deficiency results from a dietary intake of vitamin A that is inadequate to satisfy physiological needs. Among the study sites are ten (10) public elementary schools in a pre-selected municipality in Antique. To identify the potential sites for the Screening Study, a Scoping Visit was conducted in Antique.

During the meeting, the NNC Team provided insights about the food preference and usual dietary intakes in Region VI where Antique belongs. They also asked for clarifications on the role of LGU nutrition offices in the conduct of the research and on the study design, particularly about the sample size and the amount of vitamin A that will be used in the study.

Glaiza V. Calayo-Garvilles, RND, Senior Research Coordinator, will discuss the NNC Team’s concerns and recommendations with the Principal Investigators and provide feedback to NNC VI.