KALIBO, Aklan – Proper nutrition is crucial in supporting rapid brain development and building the immune system of babies during their first 1,000 days.
With the coronavirus pandemic impacting the nutrition of young children in Aklan, the health crisis also worsens their obesity problem due to social isolation, lack of physical activities and poor diet.
As of 2020 data, the province had 1,077 children suffering from wasting. The prevalence rate was 2.2 percent, slightly down from the 2.7 percent in 2019.
Wasting is defined as low weight-for-height. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss, although it can also persist for a long time. It usually occurs when a person has not had food of adequate quality and quantity and/or they have had frequent or prolonged illnesses.
Aklan also had 3,127 children suffering from stunting in 2020.
Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards median.
The number of obese children also increased during the pandemic in Aklan – 565 (between 23 to 59 months old).
Obesity is a complex disease which involves having excessive amount of body fat characterized by a body mass index of over 30.
The Provincial Health Office stressed the importance of good nutrition to combat wasting, stunting and obesity.
“Kailangan mabaskog atung resistensya,” said nutritionist dietician Estela Guia Solidum.
July is Nutrition Month. The theme is, “Malnutrisyon Patuloy Na Labanan, First 1,000 Days Tutukan!” It emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition in the baby’s first 1,000 days.
Solidum urged local government units to strengthen the nutrition programs and nutrition-related services in the barangays.
To provide significant nutrition, mothers are urged to practice exclusive breastfeeding for babies under six months old without any additional food or drink, not even water.
It is also recommended that they continue the breastfeeding with complementary food up to two years or more.
Women of reproductive age should also visit barangay health facilities to get B-vitamin folic acid-iron-calcium micronutrients supplement to prevent neural tube defects./PN
