Ilocos Norte Sees Decline in Child Malnutrition Through Kitchen Gardens

Ilocos Norte – Efforts to combat child malnutrition in Ilocos Norte have yielded positive results, with significant improvements observed among children under five years old over the past four years.

According to Philippines News Agency, head of the Provincial Nutrition Action Office (PNAO), the collaborative efforts of provincial and municipal governments, alongside the Department of Education, have played a crucial role in this achievement. In 2023, these authorities distributed vegetable seeds to 900 households, promoting the establishment of kitchen gardens to ensure access to fresh vegetables.

The initiative, coupled with ongoing nutrition education and the implementation of the Pinggang Pinoy food guide, which outlines the recommended food group proportions for each meal specifically for Filipinos, has shown encouraging outcomes. Provincial data revealed a decrease in stunting rates among children, dropping to 4.7 percent in 2022 from 8.9 percent in 2019. Stunting, a condition attributed to poor nutrition, repeated infections, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation, significantly affects children’s growth and development.

Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc expressed gratitude towards the collective efforts of provincial, city, and municipal nutrition councils, barangay nutrition scholars, government officials, and parents for their role in this substantial progress. To maintain these gains, the PNAO plans to continue supplementary feeding programs not only for children but also for pregnant women.

Furthermore, the provincial government aims to enhance the nutritional well-being of its citizens, particularly children, pregnant, and lactating women, through intensified salt testing and monitoring activities in households, markets, and stores. This measure supports the effectiveness of the salt iodization program, which relies on the simple, cost-effective, and impactful addition of iodine to salt, a staple in daily consumption.