Negros Oriental – Despite the decrease in malnutrition rate by 0.5% over the past three years, the province of Negros Oriental through its Provincial Nutrition Committee has continued its campaign to combat malnutrition through the delivery of appropriate health and nutrition services to children and other at-risk population.

Trained nutritionists and district nutrition coordinators of the province of Negros Oriental has conducted calibration of weighing scales and height boards in the different local government units (LGUs) of the province including Dumaguete City, Tanjay City, Bais City and Guihulngan City early this year. This is to ensure that the measurement of the nutrition status of the children in the province is conducted properly.

During the conduct of the activity, the personnel were able to detect errors such as un-calibrated instruments, faulty measurement methods and non-compliance of measurement standards compromising the accuracy of results giving unreliable, inaccurate nutrition statistics in the previous years. Malnutrition is also said to be a statistical problem not only because of what is being fed to the children, but rather, because of these mistakes. The team was able to correct these inaccuracies and also made the calibration visits an opportunity to remind LGU personnel on the importance of accurate measurement in the children’s nutritional status.

In order to ensure the reliability of measurements for weight for age, weight for height and height for age, the team suggested to follow the guidelines for the fabrication, verification and maintenance of wooden height boards and weighing scales set by the National Nutrition Council Governing Board.// Loreine O. Ragay