Burden of micronutrient deficiencies by socio-economic strata in children aged 6 months to 5 years in the Philippines

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are a chronic lack of vitamins and minerals and constitute a huge public health problem. MNDs have severe health consequences and are particularly harmful during early childhood due to their impact on the physical and cognitive development. We estimate the costs of illness due to iron deficiency (IDA), vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and zinc deficiency (ZnD) in 2 age groups (6-23 and 24-59 months) of Filipino children by socio-economic strata in 2008. Methods: We build a health economic model simulating the consequences of MNDs in childhood over the entire lifetime. The model is based on a health survey and a nutrition survey carried out in 2008. The sample populations are first structured into 10 socio-economic strata (SES) and 2 age groups. Health consequences of MNDs are modelled based on information extracted from literature. Direct medical costs, production losses and intangible costs are computed and long term costs are discounted to present value. Results: Total lifetime costs of IDA, VAD and ZnD amounted to direct medical costs of 30 million dollars, production losses of 618 million dollars and intangible costs of 122,138 disability adjusted life years (DALYs). These costs can be interpreted as the lifetime costs of a 1-year cohort affected by MNDs between the age of 6–59 months. Direct medical costs are dominated by costs due to ZnD (89% of total), production losses by losses in future lifetime (90% of total) and intangible costs by premature death (47% of total DALY losses) and losses in future lifetime (43%). Costs of MNDs differ considerably between SES as costs in the poorest third of the households are 5 times higher than in the wealthiest third. Conclusions: MNDs lead to substantial costs in 6-59-month-old children in the Philippines. Costs are highly concentrated in the lower SES and in children 6-23 months old. These results may have important implications for the design, evaluation and choice of the most effective and cost-effective policies aimed at the reduction of MNDs

Food and nutrition intake recommendation during COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines

The key to sustaining a good immune system is to consume nutrient-dense food at the right quantity to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Nourishing our body play a vital role to prevent, fight, and recover from infection

The importance of nutrition in the life cycle

Nutrition plays a crucial role from the moment of conception to the final years of life, shaping our health outcomes and improving quality of life. The importance of nutrition in one’s life starts even before birth: during pregnancy, the nutritional status of the mother affects fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. Supplementation of vitamins and minerals is also necessary to ensure optimum fetal growth without compromising the mother’s health

Annex 8 : compilation of resource materials prepared for media personnel

The project developed and tested a successful “integrated school nutrition model” in the Philippines that includes bio-intensive school gardens, enhanced nutrition school meals programmes, and nutrition education. This comprehensive presentation provides sources and resources regarding the three-year action research project, its implementation, outcomes, and associated events. Enabling factors where schools can serve as local level platforms for nutritional and environmental sharing are: capacity development and sensitization of school administrators, development and dissemination of nutrition-agriculture learning modules for teachers, promotion of garden-based teaching, and promotion of an approach that allows children to bring acquired skills and knowledge at home

A proposal for the Fresno County Probation Department: the need for family groups in the treatment of delinquent Chicano adolescents

This project was intended to create within the Fresno County Juvenile Probation Department family groups for Chicano families that would improve and strengthen the family unit as well as helping the child and his parents understand more about the Juvenile Probation Department. It is this writer's contention that if such family groups were implemented, the following results might be achieved: (l) there will be a better understanding for the parents and youths of the Juvenile Probation Department and its goals and purposes; (2) relationships between family members may improve after attending the family group; (3) parents may become more aware of their children's needs and may be better able to handle their problems; (4) negative attitudes about the Juvenile Probation Department may be replaced with positive ones; and (5) each of the participants will be helped to develop a better understanding of himself as well as a better understanding of others. A definite need exists for such family groups. There is to be found an over-representation of Chicano youths at the Juvenile Probation Department; it is hoped that as a result of the family groups recidivism"'' will decrease significantly. One of the greatest concerns for the profession of social work should be to continue the search for more effective programs that will provide better treatment services

Drivers of Stunting Among 0-23 Months Old Filipino Children Included in the 2003 and 2011 National Nutrition Survey

This study aims to evaluate household and individual level drivers of stunting among Filipino children aged 0-23 months in the 2003 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) and identified which factors pushed these same children to or out of stunting in middle childhood (8-9 years old) in 2011 Updating National Nutrition Survey (UNNS). All children aged 0-23 months in 2003 NNS were tracked if they're still in 2011 UNNS by matching identifiers: region, province, municipality/city, name, and birthdate. There are 290 children included in both surveys. Children were categorized as: stunted in 2003 but not in 2011 (catch-up); stunted in 2003 & 2011 (persistently stunted); stunted in 2011 but not in 2003 (stunted later). The prevalence of stunting increased from 17.2% in 2003 to 35.2% in 2011. About 22.1% became stunted later; persistently stunted (13.1%); catch-up (4.1%). The individual-level factors that contributed towards persistent stunting are older age onset of stunting, underweight, and a <2 years birth interval; while the household level factors are those with 5 dependents and a higher number of under-fives in family households usage water-sealed toilets availability electricity decrease odd persistent stunting later no significant were found on what moves child out living shanties huts pushed normal to="" be stunted 2011 this="" study reflects strong influence both individual these results could useful crafting area problem-specific interventions

Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Supplementation Relieves Symptoms and Inflammation Among COVID-19 Positive Adults: A Single-Blind Randomized Trial

A clinical study conducted in 2020 showed that virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been found effective in the rapid relief of COVID-19 symptoms and normalization of the C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration among probable and suspected cases of COVID-19. This present study aimed to validate those results and to evaluate the effects of VCO among COVID-19 patients through a 28-day randomized, single-blind trial conducted among 76 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain report)-confirmed adults, with VCO given as a COVID-19 adjunct therapy. The results showed that VCO recipients were free from symptoms and had normal CRP concentrations by day 14. In comparison, participants in the control group reported relief from signs and symptoms on day 23, with normal CRP concentrations on day 25. This second study bolsters the use of VCO as an effective adjunct therapy for COVID-19-positive patients showing mild-to-moderate symptoms

Analysis of food sources and nutrient intakes of Filipino breastfeeding mothers in 2018 and 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey

Objectives: This study evaluated the food and nutrient intake of Filipino breastfeeding mothers and identified the top food sources of nutrients in their diet. Methodology: This study utilized the pooled data of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s 2018-2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS), covering a total of 8,491 breastfeeding mothers from the 79 provinces and highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the Philippines. The ENNS employed a two-stage sampling design to cover the study participants. Data on dietary intake was collected through a two-day non-consecutive 24-hour food. Generated data were analyzed using STATA version 15.0. A PC-Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE) was used in the estimation of inadequate intakes

A study of breakfast pattern in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines

The quality of foods taken during breakfast could contribute in shaping diet quality. The International Breakfast Research Initiative (IBRI) conducted a standardized analysis of national nutrition surveys from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to derive nutritional recommendations for a balanced breakfast

Key messages for policy and programming considerations

An integrated model of gardening, supplementary feeding, and nutrition education (GarNESupp) among school children in Cavite Province in the Philippines was implemented. The study showed effectiveness of the model in improving the nutritional status of children; improving the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) both among children and parents; and sustaining the implementation of bio-intensive nutrition gardens and crop museums. These strategies help sustain and conserve crop cultivars while improving year-round availability of a diverse range of climate-resilient, locally adapted, and nutritionally important vegetables. This policy brief provides details of the programme, the study, and transferrable interventions and outcomes