Published on: February 27, 2023
By Samuel Candido
BORONGAN CITY (PIA) - - The Provincial Health Officer (PHO), Dr. Marian Efepania R. Isiderio recently presented through a power point presentation the nutritional status of the province of Eastern Samar during the Provincial Nutrition Council meeting at PHO Conference Room, Borongan City.
Based on the 2022 data gathered from every municipality, the prevalence rate of children under chronic malnutrition or stunting, the top three municipalities are: Mercedes with 34.48% followed by Maslog of 26.44%, and Jipapad which is 24.23%.
Whereas, the prevalence rate of underweight children, the top three municipalities are: Maslog with 16.20%, followed by Jipapad of 13.65%, and Mercedes which is 12.76%.
For the prevalence rate of children under acute malnutrition or wasting, the top three municipalities are: Arteche with 6.55% followed by Hernani of 5.85%, and Balangiga which is 5.44%.
Further, the prevalence rate of obese or overnourished children, the top three municipalities are: Mercedes with 14.83% followed by Hernani of 9.32%, and Gen. Mac-Arthur which is 7.83%.
"We have to rehabilitate the prevalence of underweight, if not, there will be more stunting in 2023,". Dr. Isiderio said, adding that when a child is stunted there is also a possibility of obesity.
The Provincial Health Officer also disclosed that with regards to stunting, Eastern Samar is the highest in Eastern Visayas or Region 8.
She emphasized that pregnant women and mothers should focus on their nutrition, as well as on their babies' nutrition especially during the child's first 1,000 days of life.
"Stunting is largely an irreversible outcome of inadequate nutrition and repeated bouts of infection during the first 1,000 days of a child's life," she said.
She also suggested that pregnant women should at least have four pre-natal check-ups at the rural health centers during her course of pregnancy and reminded them to eat only nutritious food.
She also cited the importance of exclusive breastfeeding until the child is six months old and continue to do so when the child is 6 months and beyond while introducing other healthy food.
Dr. Isiderio then reminded the parents to bring their babies in the nearest health centers to avail of the immunization, deworming, and other essential health services that the child needs. (MMP/SDC/PIA -E. Samar)
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