CV Promotes Household Gardening via 44th Nutrition Month

As a pre-launch event for the 44th Nutrition Month celebration, National Nutrition Council 7 (NNC 7), in collaboration with Media Information Network for Nutrition and Development 7 (MIND 7) headed the Kapihan sa PIA cum 2018 Nutrition Month Press Conference.

The press conference took place in St. Mark Hotel on June 27 and was supported by the Philippine Information Agency Cebu or PIA. It was broadcasted live over DYMR Radyo ng Bayan-Cebu and discussed local health concerns and solutions.

With the theme, “Ugaliing magtanim, sapat na nutrisyon aanihin,”the 44th Nutrition Month on July will highlight household gardening as a means of improving local nutritional status.

Malnutrition Statistics

There are a handful of nutritionally depressed municipalities.

For stunting, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (PCPG) in Bohol tops the charts with a prevalence rate of 38.9%, followed by Aloguinsan, Cebu with 37.28%, and Dumanjug, Cebu with 35.41%.

For the underweight, Buenevista, Bohol leads at a prevalence rate of 21.4%, then Samboan, Cebu with 14.97%, and Aloguinsan again with 14.68%. The municipality with the lowest rate in the list is Ronda with 9.70%. Ronda also has the lowest prevalence rate for stunting with 27.20%.

For wasting, Buenavista comes first with a 21.6% prevalance rate, Zamboanguita is next with 10.9%, and then Oslob with 10.5%. Among the 20 municipalities in the list, the lowest rate is that of Pinamungajan with 7.34%.

Indeed, malnutrition rates are rising. The number of undernourished children also rose from 4.6% in 2016 to 4.93% in 2017; that is a 0.3 increase. Rates for stunted growth and obesity have also increased, spelling bad news for local health.

Such statistics were based on NNC 7 findings gathered via the annually performed Operation Timbang Plus (OPT+), which measures weight and height of all preschoolers between 0 to 71 months.

Building Solutions

According to key panelists NNC 7 Nutrition Officer I, Ms. Norre Jean V. delos Santos and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section – Department of Agriculture (RAFIS-DA) Information Officer III, Mr. Melquiades B. Ibarra, past projects and activities focused on concerns such as undernourishment and obesity, but micro-nutrient deficiency, another form of malnutrition, should also be tackled.

Micro-nutrient deficiency is defined as the lack of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients needed for proper growth and development. Micro-nutrients are most abundantly found in food such as vegetables and fruits, which is more easily acquired through home and food gardening.

Regarding the lack of planting space in the metro, Ibarra highlights urban gardening, container or dish gardening, and vertical gardening as viable solutions.

It has been said time and time again, “Good nutrition starts at home.”

Regional Gardening Event

In line with the planting-centered theme, Central Visayas’ Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC), in partnership with the Mandaue City Nutrition Committee and Subangdaku Barangay Nutrition Committee, will be conducting a region-wide simultaneous food gardening event on the second day of July.

The aforementioned activity places its focus on promoting urban gardening and securing food availability and accessibility. Apart from planting, a cooking demo with garden produce will also be conducted for educational purposes.

The gardening event serves as the official launching program for the 44th Nutrition Month and will be held at Mandaue City’s Pick & Pay. Mandaue City Agriculture will provide the soils and the Department of Agriculture will be providing the seeds.

The activity will also be participated in by local government units in their respective locations. Considering it is a simultaneous event, it can also be done at home.

Video-Making Competition

Incorporating social media and multimedia in healthy means, NNC 7 designs a 1-minute video-making contest called “My Garden, My Tour.” This is open to families legally residing in Central Visayas with a homegrown garden, and was created to empower other families to grow their own gardens.

Submitted videos will be posted on NNC 7’s Facebook page and will be evaluated by a panel of judges. Cash prizes range from 1,000 to 3,000.

This competition is currently ongoing.

For more information regarding mechanics, deadline, and criteria, reach out to NNC 7 through Facebook.