NNC7-OPT+ shows decline in all forms of malnutrition in 2023 though stunting remains a problem in C.Visayas

CEBU CITY – The National Nutrition Council (NNC-7) through its annual Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) recorded a decline in the prevalence of malnutrition in all its forms--stunted, wasted, underweight, and overweight in 2023 but stunting, low height-for-age, remains the top malnutrition problem in Central Visayas.

The 2023 OPT+ in Central Visayas results showed that a decrease in malnutrition prevalence for stunting, from 8.5 percent in 2022 to 7.2 percent in 2023; for wasting, from 2.2 percent to 1.4 percent; for underweight, from 3.6 percent to 3.2 percent and for overweight, from 2.8 percent to 2.1 percent.

The rate of decline in prevalence for all forms of malnutrition started when the pandemic began in 2020. It considered the decrease in OPT coverage from 82.4 percent to 78.8 percent as a possible factor for the drop of the prevalence rates, NNC-7 noted.

OPT+ is the annual child growth assessment for all 0- to 59-month-old children in the barangays conducted by trained teams.  The OPT Plus generates data on the nutritional status of children in a barangay, locates under- or over-nourished children, and guides local government units in nutrition program management.

Mission bared that the 2023 OPT+ reported that stunting still remains the top malnutrition problem in Central Visayas in 2023 with Negros Oriental having a prevalence rate of 4.7 percent or 5,538 children. Cebu has 3.5 percent or 9,725 stunted children while Bohol has 2.28 percent or 2,165 stunted children and Siquijor has 3.11 percent or 179 stunted children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stunting as low height-for-age. WHO stated that stunting happens as a result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate feeding and care in early life.  WHO warns that stunting prevents children from reaching their physical and cognitive potentials.

“We urge local government units to implement interventions and invest in solutions focused on the First 1000 Days of a child’s life from pre-pregnancy to two years of age as an effective strategy against stunting in children,” Dr. Parolita Mission, NNC Region VII Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator said.

Mission added that the First 1000 Days of Life is one of the strategic thrusts of the 2023–2028 Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).   Some interventions that local government units can implement for First 1000 Days include supplementary feeding and micronutrient supplementation of pregnant women; promotion and supporting breastfeeding; and regular growth monitoring of weight and height.(Photos: NNC7/FB/Google Images)