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NUTRITION CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES Programs The NCP models and advocates several health and nutrition programs that address the millennium development goals 1 (eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), 4 (reduce child mortality) and 5 (improve maternal health).
Pabasa sa Nutrisyon is an innovative approach in strengthening the implementation of the five (5) Impact Programs (Home, School and Community Food Production, Micronutrient Supplementation, Food Fortification, Nutrition Education and Food Assistance) of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). Through Pabasa, mothers are grouped into 10-12 per class informally discussing health and nutrition using behaviorally designed materials developed by the Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP). Pabasa is designed to empower women in reducing their family’s vulnerability to malnutrition through the adoption of proper nutrition practices and healthy lifestyles. The NCP provides training and materials for local government units and NGOs that plan to implement Pabasa. To know more about Pabasa, contact us at [email protected]
Food Always in the Home (FAITH) is a home and school gardening program that NCP advocates. FAITH focuses on home food security making food always available, accessible and affordable for the family. Training is provided to scientifically learn how to plant fruits and vegetables without the use of pesticides and using limited space. By promoting fruits and vegetables, the NCP encourages dietary diversity which is associated with better health outcomes. The NCP can provide training and materials for local government units and NGOs that plan to implement FAITH. To know more about Faith , contact us at [email protected]
Nutripan sa Eskwelahan (Nutripan) establishes a bakery that caters to primarily to schoolchildren. The bakery, based in the school or in the community, is mandated to provide bread or biscuits fortified with iron and vitamin A to schoolchildren at an affordable price. This project is essentially a feeding project for schoolchildren (and in some areas, for preschool children as well). Nutripan is different from other feeding projects. Bread is sold and the bakery seeks to be self-sustaining by generating enough sales to maintain its operating expenses. This project grew form the NCP’s own research findings (link to research) that fortified bread can reduce vitamin A deficiency and moderate anemia. This project translates biomedical research into a tangible program that benefits children. To date, there are 36 bakeries in various parts of the country. To know more about Nutripan, contact us at [email protected]
Kumare (Kalusugan para Umunlad si Mare) is a maternal health program designed to improve the delivery of much-needed iron supplements to pregnant women. We have demonstrated that this approach increases the number of prenatal visits, the number of iron tablets consumed, and improved hemoglobin levels. The intervention is anchored on training and re-orientation of health workers by giving them more responsibility for the mothers in their catchment area. Key skills are taught and simple materials are used to monitor the implementation. To know more about Kumare, contact us at [email protected]
Supplementary Feeding Programs can be designed by NCP for non-government organizations or local government units that plan to have a feeding program. The NCP can provide a variety of food products (Link to Shop>PNFC) that can ensure a 30 day cycle of flour-based, rice-based or milk-based food products that meet at least 33% of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes. To know more about our food products, contact us at [email protected].
http://www.ncp.org.ph/index.php/Programs.html
NUTRITIONAL STATUS of the Philippines
Initial results of the 6th National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute(FNRI) in 2003 and Updates on the 2001 Nutritional Status of Filipino Children show that malnutritioncontinues to persist in the Philippines. These studies found that although there are modest gains, theimprovements in the nutrition status of Filipinos observed from 1990 to 2001 have been very slow.
http://www.senate.gov.ph/publications/AG%202006-06%20-%20Nutritional%20Status%20of%20Filipino%20Children.pdf
SUMMARY
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient deficiencies remain the leading nutritional problems in the Philippines. The general declining trend in the prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting among Filipino children noted in the past 10 years was countered with the increase in the prevalence rate in 1998. About 4 million (31.8%) of the preschool population were found to be underweight-for-age, 3 million (19.8%) adolescents and 5 million (13.2%) adults, including older persons were found to be underweight and chronically energy deficient, respectively.
The status of micronutrient malnutrition is likewise an important concern in the country. The vitamin A status of the country is considered severe subclinical deficiency affecting children 6 months - 5 years (8.2%) and pregnant women (7.1%). Iron deficiency anemia is the most alarming of the micronutrient deficiencies affecting a considerable proportion of infants (56.6%), pregnant women (50.7%), lactating women (45.7%) and male older persons (49.1%). Prevalence of IDD was mild (71mg/L). However, 35.8% children 6 – 12 years old still suffer from moderate and severe IDD.
Overweight and obesity are also prevalent in the country affecting a significant proportion of children, adolescents and adults, which predispose them to certain nutrition and health risks. This is evident in the rising trend in the prevalence of diseases of the heart and the vascular system.
Malnutrition in the Philippines is caused by a host of interrelated factors – health, physical, social, economic and others. Food supply and how it is distributed and consumed by the populace have consequent impact on nutritional status. While reports indicate that there are enough food to feed the country, many Filipinos continue to go hungry and become malnourished due to inadequate intake of food and nutrients. In fact, except for protein, the typical Filipino diet was found to be grossly inadequate for energy and other nutrients. In order to compensate for the inadequate energy intake, the body utilizes protein as energy source. Thus, the continuing PEM problem in the country.
The present economic situation of the country further aggravates the malnutrition problem with about 28 million Filipinos unable to buy food to meet their nutritional requirements and other basic needs. While it was reported that the health status of Filipinos improved in terms of the decrease in the mortality rates of mothers and infants, the rising incidence of infectious diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory diseases contributed to the poor nutritional status of many Filipinos. The effect of the 1997 Asian financial crisis as well as the El Niño phenomenon was also manifested in the increase in the prevalence of malnutrition in the national nutrition survey of 1998.
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/phi-e.stm
