A STUDY by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Philippines (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) showed that three out of 10 school children or kids aged between five to 10 in Davao Region are underweight.
Similarly, DOST-FNRI's 2015 Nutritional Status of Filipinos three out 10 school children in the region are also suffering from stunted growth. The study showed the nutrition situation among the children in the Philippines between 2013 and 2015.
Josefina T. Gonzalez, science research specialist II from theFood and Nutrition Training Unit of DOST-FNRI, said underweight children are those who do not meet the standard weight for their age as issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Stunting, as defined by WHO, are "children who suffer from growth retardation as a result of poor diets or recurrent infections tend to be at greater risk for illness and death."
The DOST-FNRI study showed that underweight children and those suffering from stunted growth are prevalent in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.
In Compostela Valley, the prevalence rate of underweight school children increased to 30 percent in 2015 from 26.9 percent in 2013. However, those experiencing stunted growth dropped to 30.8 percent in 2015 from 28.1 percent in 2013.
Meanwhile, the prevalence rate of underweight school children in Davao Oriental dropped to 27.4 percent in 2015 from 41 percent in 2013. Those suffering from stunted growth also dropped to 39.4 percent from 47.9 percent.
The study showed that children who are underweight or suffering from stunted growth are mainly in the rural areas and come from poor families.
"Kung tutusin mo, mas maraming food sa rural areas but hindi alam ni mommy kung paano i-utilize," Gonzalez said during the Alaska Media Round Table at Tiny Kitchen on September 10, 2018.
She added that the educational attainment of many parents in the rural areas is not very high. Therefore, some are not able to understand what proper nutrition is.
Based on the study, many children are not able to meet their nutritional needs.
"Marami pang mga bata na hindi nakakain ng maayos," Gonzalez said.
In the Philippines, 35.4 percent of a kid's food intake is rice and 94.6 percent of kids aged six to 12 years old eat rice more than twice a day.
The DOST-FNRI study revealed that the top 10 commonly consumed food and beverages by kids between six to 12 years old are rice, cooking oil, bread, chicken, sugar, crackers, cookies, noodles, and hotdogs or sausages.
"Ito yung nutrient intake nila... hindi healthy and diet. We can see deficiency in terms of food," Gonzalez said.
She said they also noted that milk and vegetables are at the bottom half of the top 30 most commonly consumed food and beverages by growing kids. Data shows that only 15.3 percent of kids aged six to 12 years old drink milk while only 11.4 percent of the same age group have met the daily requirement for calcium.
"Nasa bottom yung milk. Siguro sa ibang areas hindi siya priority because it entails cost," she said, adding that some parents may not see the importance of it as part of an adequate meal.
In a bid alleviate the nutrition status of the kids in the country, DOST-FNRI has released the Pinggang Pinoy Diagram as a guide for parents to provide the right nutrition for their growing kids. The Pinggang Pinoy is not limited for kids but they have also developed for different age groups. The diagram also shows food that can be prepared with local ingredients.
The Pinggang Pinoy shows how parents are able to be creative with the food they prepare for their kids at the same time provide them the right nutrition.
Gonzalez also said they have conducted trainings to educate parents, especially on rural areas, on food preparation and nutrition.
"Ang ginagawa namin is we have to educate them on the importance of nutrition education," Gonzalez said.
She pointed out that organizations hold feeding program regularly but it is not very sustainable as parents do not know what to do next after the program ends.
Gonzalez said through education parents on nutrition, they are able to help them understand that the vegetables that they hav planted at their own backyard can already be used to meet the nutritional requirements of their children.
She said a parent's knowledge on nutrition will already help the child meet his or her nutritional requirements on a daily basis.
"We have studies that show na very important ang education background ni mommy," Gonzalez said.
The Media Round Table was organized by the Alaska Milk Corporation to raise awareness towards the importance of having proper nutrition, including drinking of a fortified milk, plus an active lifestyle, can help kids achieve their proper height and weight.
"Alaska Milk’s mission and vision is to promote affordable nutrition in the Philippines because through this, the Filipino youth will be able to achieve their full potential and grow up competitive in life," Isabel Ruiz, Alaska Milk Corporation Marketing Manager, said.
The event also introduced the new Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk Drink which is a good source of vitamin D, high in calcium and iron and packed with protein.