Community quarantine affects kids' nutrition

CEBU, Philippines — The community quarantine has greatly affected children’s basic food nutrition and necessity, according to the National Nutrition Council in Central Visayas.

Recent survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute showed that at least 56.35 percent of Cebu’s households reported having problems accessing food during the community quarantine period.

At least 22.1 percent said they have no money to buy food, 21.6 percent also have no or limited public transportation, 19.5 percent have no money due to loss of job, 10.8 percent with limited food stores in the area, and 5.15 percent elderly or no other members of the family to buy food.

The NNC-7 also reported that almost 10 percent or about 6,819 children in 0-59 months are stunting; 24, 869 underweight while 16, 211 are overweight and 14, 382 severely wasted based on the FNRI’s recent survey.

It warned that these statistics are expected to rise in another year with the effect of COVID-19.

“Malnutrition can also be epigenetic which means it can be passed on to the next generation. A balanced meal must be provided, and physical activity still encouraged,” said NNC-7 regional nutrition program coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission.

The first 1000 days law or the F1KD program was implemented in pursuit of prevention for unwanted malnutrition by observing children’s stunt growth for the past years.

The F1KD is considered as the “window of opportunity” where health and nutrition, and development foundations are established.

The NNC-7 in collaboration with the Department of Health-7 has been eager to tackle relevant information about nutrition in general and the F1KD as it calls for the public in concerns with severe wasting to children also known as acute malnutrition– affecting children’s cognitive and intellectual capacities in the times of COVID-19. —Jomelou Q. Menorias, CNU Comm Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)