DAVAO Region recorded a slight rise in undernutrition and overnutrition cases in 2024, based on the latest Nutrition Situation Report.
The underweight prevalence rate increased to 2.95 percent in 2024, up from 2.8 percent in 2023. Stunting also rose from 1.4 percent to 1.53 percent, while overnutrition went up from 5.2 percent to 5.86 percent. Only wasting saw a decline, from 0.8 percent in 2023 to 0.78 percent in 2024.
Davao Occidental posted the highest stunting rate at 15.2 percent, followed by Davao City (6.40 percent), Davao Oriental (5.80 percent), Davao del Sur (5.41 percent), Davao de Oro (4.98 percent), and Davao del Norte (3.48 percent).
In underweight prevalence, Davao Occidental also led with 7.27 percent, followed by Davao City (3.19 percent), Davao Oriental (2.75 percent), Davao del Sur (2.74 percent), Davao del Norte (2.24 percent), and Davao de Oro (2.12 percent).
For wasting, Davao Occidental again ranked highest at 3.65 percent, followed by Davao del Sur (0.91 percent), Davao Oriental (0.82 percent), Davao City (0.62 percent), Davao del Norte (0.49 percent), and Davao de Oro (0.29 percent).
In overweight and obesity, Davao Occidental topped the list at 3.42 percent, with Davao del Sur at 1.95 percent, Davao Oriental at 1.63 percent, Davao de Oro at 1.39 percent, Davao City at 1.36 percent, and Davao del Norte at 1.08 percent.
The National Nutrition Council - Davao Region (NNC-Davao) outlined strategies aligned with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028. These include organizing or reactivating Local Nutrition Committees (LNCs), formulating three-year Local Nutrition Action Plans (LNAPs), and integrating them into local Investment Plans for Health.
NNC-Davao also aims to train Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and improve access to nutrition and health programs in underserved areas, such as far-flung communities, urban poor zones, and resettlement sites.
Speaking at Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, June 30, 2025, NNC-Davao officer-in-charge Retsebeth Laquihon said many Filipinos still struggle with food insecurity, one of the main drivers of malnutrition.
“There is also a need to strengthen the campaign because if food security is not addressed, it will lead to malnutrition,” she said.
Laquihon added that long-term malnutrition hinders child development and also affects other vulnerable sectors, including pregnant women and senior citizens.
As Nutrition Month kicks off this July, NNC-Davao said it will boost its advocacy for better nutrition and food security through partnerships with stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society. RGP