DOST’s food program works in Agusan del Norte town – study

Jodesz Gavilan

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DOST’s food program works in Agusan del Norte town – study
84 out of 88 children hit their normal body weight after 120 days under the program

MANILA, Philippines – A complementary food feeding program has reaped positive results in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, according to a study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

From 74%, the malnutrition prevalence decreased to 34% in the 3rd class municipality after the 120-day period of the intervention.

The findings further showed that the increased body weights of the previously malnourished children were attributed to the Malnutrition Reduction Program (MRP) implemented by the Department of Science and Technoogy (DOST)’s FNRI, in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) and the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines complementary feeding refers to feeding in addition to breastmilk when it is no longer able to fulfill the necessary required nutrients for a child.

The program in Jabonga had 88 participants, all under 3 years old.

The first set, composed of 73 children, started in April 2014. After 30 days of implementation, 33 children were able to achieve normal weight status.

The second set, which started in October 2014, was able to normalize the weight of 8 out of 15 children within the same period.

After 120 days, 84 children were declared healthy with normal body weight for their age.

Maximizing what’s available

The food under the MRP consumed in Jabonga – rice-mongo curls, rice-mongo baby food blend, and the rice-mongo with sesame – were developed by FNRI to help alleviate malnutrition brought about by lack of access to nutritious and adequate food in several areas in the Philippines.

Rice-mongo curls made from rice flour and mongo, is a cereal-like food that can meet the 12% recommended energy and 14.3% protein intake of children one to 3 years old.

Its baby food blend version, meanwhile, can meet 17% and 29% of recommended energy and protein requirements of infants 6 to 12 months old respectively.

It is very vital for children to get the required energy and protein each day to function well. If they do not, it may lead to hidden hunger and decreased functionality. (READ: Nutrition faces: Hidden hunger)

These products make use of ingredients readily available in the local community to lessen the cost and to also suit the preference of beneficiaries.

In addition, using local resources also helps small farmers and promotes backyard farming – a vital tool in ending hunger and malnutrition. (READ: How local crops can end malnutrition)

Cooperation is important

The FNRI aims to replicate the complementary food feeding program in different parts of the country to mitigate hunger and malnutrition. The program is currently being implemented by various LGUs in Agusan del Sur and even in the neighboring province of Surigao del Norte.

It is highly important for LGUs to take the initiative and coordinate with important agencies such as the FNRI and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) for ways to solve these problems. (READ: How can LGUs help prevent hunger?)

In addition to the MRP, the NNC also helped LGUs build their capacity to operate the Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security which “provides timely notice of impending acute food security crises.” If harnessed correctly, it can pave way for timely action against malnutrition to keep the situation from worsening. (READ: Can an early warning help end hunger?)

The 2015 Global Food Security Index meanwhile shows that the efforts of the Philippines to fight hunger and malnutrition equate to a “moderate performance” – a sign that there is still a lot to be done for the country to finally be free of the double burden of malnutrition. – Rappler.com

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Jodesz Gavilan

Jodesz Gavilan is a writer and researcher for Rappler and its investigative arm, Newsbreak. She covers human rights and impunity beats, producing in-depth and investigative reports particularly on the quest for justice of victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and war on dissent.