KALIBO, Aklan – Aklan is marking Nutrition Month with the theme “New Normal na Nutrisyon, Sama-Samang Gawan ng Solusyon!” to raise public awareness on the importance of good nutrition in building resilience and recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.
With a high prevalence of stunted and underweight children, the provincial government has intensified its programs and interventions to ensure child care and development.
Estela Guia Solidum-Gregorio, dietician / nutritionist of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), said the province has nutrition interventions and programs moving to the new normal.
She acknowledged disruptions in food supplements and services for stunted, obese and malnourished children due to the ongoing pandemic. More people also turned to processed foods and unhealthy snacks and they became less physically active, she added.
Food accessibility and availability are also affected by quarantine restrictions, resulting in higher price of basic commodities and low-income households rely largely on family food packs with insufficient nutrients.
Solidum-Gregorio also tapped the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to provide assorted vegetable seeds to augment the needs of families.
Multi-sectoral organizations are also supporting the PHO’s sustainable campaign and holistic approach to address undernutrition and stunting by adopting health-enhancing diets for severely malnourished children.
There are also positive impacts of pandemic lockdowns among family members. Many found themselves most of their time at home especially with their children, home gardening and plantito / plantita also emerged.
Nutrition Month is a nationwide campaign every July to create greater awareness among Filipinos which is spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council./PN
