Fighting malnutrition

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The declining malnutrition rate in Dumaguete City from 4.9 percent in 2008 to 4.4 percent this year is  attributed to the strong support from non-government organizations and civic clubs for  the city’s nutrition programs.

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when a person's body is not getting enough nutrients. The condition may result from an inadequate or unbalanced diet, digestive difficulties, absorption problems, or other medical conditions.

There are more than 1 billion undernourished people in the world – increasing the urgency of tackling food insecurity and improving agriculture.

The Dumaguete government has exerted efforts to curb the malnutrition incidence in the city. The program is implemented through the barangay nutrition scholars with underweight pre-school children as beneficiaries.

Records show that since 2004, from 14.78 percent, the malnutrition rate dropped sharply to 6.98 percent in 2005, then it steadily declined from 2007 until 2009 with 6.8 percent, 4.9 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively.

The success of the program was also due to the efforts and teamwork of city nutrition workers conducting Operation Timbang activities.

The cooperation of the barangays and the community helped achieved this fete.

We must continue to help fight malnutrition in our community to curb the alarming malnutrition incidence in the country.*