Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson, regional coordinator of the National Nutrition Council Region 11 (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY— The National Nutrition Council-XI said child stunting in the region has reached 13.85 percent, with a 30 percent estimate of people who are suffering long-term malnutrition.
NNC-XI regional coordinator Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson told reporters during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, July 25 that the “First 1000 days” advocacy will focus on addressing this nutritional deficit.
“It’s easier to address undernutrition with a decrease in underweight prevalence rate: 6.18 percent in 2013, 6.14
percent in 2014, and 5.44 percent in 2015,”said Ungson, adding that it is easier to address weight issues rather than height, wherein stunting involves very low height for an age range.
“Now is the time to be doing what we’re supposed to do to address stunting,” she said during an interview in the sideline. She said this must be addressed during the first 1000 days from conception, which she explained the 1000 days involves 270 days of pregnancy, 365 days when the child is 0-12 months. plus another 365 days for when the child is 13-23 months.
This year’s nutrition month themed “First 1000 Days ni Baby, Pahalagahan para sa Malusog na Kinabukasan” (Nurture your baby’s first 1000 days for a healthy future)” will culminate on Wednesday, July 27 at the SM mall in Ecoland.
“On Wednesday, we have speakers and experts to talk on maternal health, safe motherhood, and breast-feeding,” she said.
She said that there will also be a panel discussion in the morning of the culmination on topics such as complimentary feeding and infant growth, and the afternoon will proceed with a “Nutrition Got Talent” program.
Ungson added that the First 1000 days scheme will start “right after” the culmination in 10 provinces, with three pilot municipalities in Davao del Sur: Hagonoy, Magsaysay. and Digos City.(davaotoday.com)
