ABSTRACT
Background@#In 2020, Barangay Calumpang, a 2nd class municipality in Nagcarlan, Laguna recorded the highest prevalence of undernutrition among children under five years of age out of the 52 barangays.@*Objectives@#This study was undertaken to describe the factors possibly causing undernutrition among children under five years of age in Barangay Calumpang and provide key recommendations to improve their nutritional status.@*Methods@#The study used a descriptive research design wherein secondary data from the 2020 Barangay Management Information System (BMIS) and Operation Timbang (OPT) 2021 was merged to extract the children's data. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the principal component analysis (PCA) and creation of the wealth index. The children’s nutrition situation and profile were also cross-tabulated.@*Results@#We included 28 children. Undernutrition was more prevalent in boys than girls. Most of the children had improved water sources, sanitation facilities, and waste disposal methods. The wealth index showed that half of the subjects were in the lower quintiles, and all were partially immunized. The most prevalent forms of undernutrition were severe underweight (36%) and severe stunting (39%). Other forms of undernutrition were also present in the barangay, such as underweight (14%) and severe wasting (14%). There was also a prevalence of 11% for both stunting and wasting.@*Conclusion@#Undernutrition was more frequent in boys, lower quintile households (stunting), and partially immunized children. Conducting gender-targeted nutrition programs, developing nutrition-focused livelihood programs, increasing awareness on the advantages of immunization, and promoting proper infant and child feeding practices were some of the recommendations given to improve the nutritional status of children under five.
Subject(s)
Rural Population , PhilippinesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#High levels of total cholesterol, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, are among the top significant contributing factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The awareness of cholesterol at the community level is critical in potential prevention and preparedness. This paper aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of adults on cholesterol management to determine their risk to CVD.@*METHODS@#The study targeted employed populations (20 to 55 years old) who were undiagnosed with hyper- cholesterolemia and other severe chronic diseases. The participants were categorized based on their work mobility: (a) sedentary; and (b) active. KAP scores were predefined as high, moderate, low, and very low risk.@*RESULTS@#Results showed that 52% of the participants had excellent overall knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores, thus had the lowest risk of developing hypercholesterolemia. However, 28% resulted in having the highest risk among the population.@*CONCLUSION@#The results of this study showed the level of good KAP among employed adults to be relatively high. Despite the gaps in KAP measurement, respondents showed interest in cholesterol-lowering interventions. Further studies are therefore necessary to fill the findings with a more concrete resolution.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Fishes and shellfish not only contribute to food and nutrition security but also to the livelihood of coastal communities in the Philippines. However, some fishing grounds are contaminated and health advisories against seafood consumption are issued, which may negatively affect the fishing communities’ livelihood. This study aimed to assess fish and shellfish consumption of households living in selected coastal barangays of the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System ( MMORS). The food systems framework was applied whereby fish and shellfish consumption and livelihoods were viewed as part of a larger food system. Methods: The study was conducted in five barangays of the MMORS. A total of 110 household respondents were selected based on systematic random sampling. Key informants were interviewed to determine fish farm production and distribution. The final questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic information, household consumption information on frequency of consumption of fishes and shellfishes, sources of produce, fish and shellfish preparation and cooking methods, and perceptions on the fish produce in the area. Data were encoded and tabulated while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fishes and shellfishes are grown in earth-diked fish ponds using river water or harvested along the river system. No post-harvest processing is done and harvests are directly sold in fish markets within the area or nearby towns depending on the price and size of harvests. Fish consumption in both areas is affected by taste, tradition, price, nutritional value, age, gender and intra-household roles, and is found to be higher compared to national levels in the Philippines. Conclusion: The feedback of health and nutrition advisories which are based on food consumption patterns to other food outcomes like livelihoods and ecological health were included in this study. Based on the findings, it is suggested that appropriate interventions should be implemented to balance food system outcomes.