Reach Us
H.I.M.S.U.G.
(Healthcare Initiative for Malnourished Society in Unlocking Growth) na Brgy. Ermita, Cebu City
Albao, J.E.A.J., Bacolod, S.F.R., Colon, K. F. C., Gumalo, J.G.D., Jordan, N. M. L., Serrano, D. G. I., Soria, G. M. M., Torrenueva, K. K. P., Tugahan, M. W. C.
2.0 Theoretical Background
2.0 Theoretical Background
2.1 Review of Related Literature and Studies
This section will go over the various related studies and literature that were used to establish and strengthen this research study. It will contain a detailed discussion of malnutrition as the major cause of stunting, in addition to other pertinent information regarding the topic that has led to this study.
The 3 Broad Groups Of Malnutrition
Malnutrition is defined as a person's intake of energy and/or nutrients being deficient, excessive, or imbalanced. Malnutrition refers to three major categories of conditions: (1) undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age); (2) micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess; and (3) overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers). It is a significant public health concern., particularly in low-income countries, and it can have severe consequences, including increased morbidity and mortality. Micronutrient-related malnutrition is the result of a deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet and can lead to a range of health problems. Overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable illnesses, on the other hand, are produced by an excess of nutrients in the diet and are linked to an elevated risk of a variety of chronic diseases. Addressing the underlying causes of malnutrition and adopting interventions to prevent and cure these illnesses are crucial to better comprehending the issue. (Fact Sheets - Malnutrition, 2021)
Present Predicament in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City
Back in 2010, Barangay Ermita landed in the top spot as the barangay most affected by malnutrition. The City Health Department (CHD) reported that they weighed 1,368 preschoolers and found 135 (9.86%) underweight and 47 others (3.43%) extremely underweight. By the year 2012, it was discovered that children aged 0 to 71 months were underweight in the barangay as reported. In a recent news article of SunStar Ph (2018), Emman Seville, coordinator of Cebu City's Department of Social Welfare's (DSWS) nutrition program states that 18.9% of children under the age of five are malnourished or underweight for their age in Barangay Ermita. It was also confirmed through the result of the 2018 Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus, that nearly all children in the barangay are malnourished and lack proper healthcare. Malnutrition in the barangay is widely spread hence it is not a new case in the area. As of May 2022, the Barangay Ermita Health Center was enhanced by the collaboration of AboitizPower subsidiary (Cebu Private Power Corp, 2022). Every year the percentage of cases of malnutrition increases that problem for the government and its barangay, and by doing feeding programs and Operation Timbang, it is proven and evident that malnutrition in Barangay Ermita is leading to a serious problem. Last May 2022, the Barangay’s Health Center was filled with donations and upgrades. This would be a great help for the community to prevent and aid malnutrition cases, if and only if the barangay will sustain and focus on taking action towards the growing cases of malnutrition in Barangay Ermita.
The Philippines is one of the top ten nations in the world for having the most stunted children, ranking sixth among East Asian and Pacific nations with the greatest prevalence of stunting; one in every three children (29%) under the age of five suffered from stunting in 2019. (World Bank Group, 2022) Stunting is a kind of malnutrition in which a child's linear development (height) is delayed or interrupted as a result of a lack of appropriate nutrients. It is frequently caused by chronic malnutrition and is the result of a poor diet combined with repeated illnesses. Underweight refers to a condition in which a person's weight is lower than what is deemed healthy for their height. Underweight children can also be stunted, although stunting relates to the child's height, whilst underweight refers to their weight. Stunting and being underweight have a tight association since both disorders are generally caused by the same underlying reasons, such as inadequate nutrition and frequent infections. Children who are stunted may also be underweight, as stunting affects both height and weight growth. However, some children may be underweight without being stunted, for example, due to illnesses that cause weight loss. (Thurstans et al., 2021)
Factors That Contribute To Stunting
Stunting is caused by a variety of variables, many of which are interconnected. Some of the most prevalent reasons that might lead to a kid suffering from stunting include.
(1) Poor nutrition and lack of access to diverse foods. Having the lack of access to diverse foods means that a child will not get the different nutrients and minerals that are needed for a human body to function properly, take for example protein, protein is needed to grow muscle and without eating healthy protein this could lead the child to experience deficiency which can cause the stunted growth of the child.
(2) Poor Sanitation and the lack of access to clean drinking water. Lacking access to clean water is a very major problem for one's health water is one of the basic human needs that we all need to consume and without access to clean water people could get diseases ranging from dangerous to deadly.
On the other hand, (3) living in an area that has poor sanitation, Diseases are much more likely to spread due to its unclean nature also since the area is not clean Disease carrying pests can be rampant and may affect the people around the area and on consuming food or water you may get diseases or illnesses that may harm one's health.
(4) Poverty is also one of the common factors that contribute to stunting, because of poverty Families who are on the lower class of the societal spectrum could not afford proper food, Due to the rising case of poverty poor families do not have access to foods that are full of nutrients and healthy but instead consuming these healthy options they eat less nutritious and cheap foods which are most-likely processed and contain various additives that are unhealthy to consume. (What Is Stunting?, 2022)
Consequences of Stunting on Physical and Cognitive Development
Stunting has both short-term and long-term consequences on physical and cognitive development. In the short term, stunted children may have impaired growth and development, and they may be more vulnerable to infections and other health problems. In the long term, stunting can lead to reduced height and weight, which can have negative impacts on physical health and well-being. Stunting is also associated with cognitive delays and impairments in cognitive function, which can have negative impacts on education and economic outcomes. Children who are stunted are more likely to have lower levels of educational attainment, and they may be at a disadvantage in the labor market. Stunting can also have negative economic consequences at the population level, as it can reduce productivity and economic growth. (Poorer Children’s Educational Attainment: How Important Are Attitudes, 2020)
Global Interventions to Address Stunting
The growth, development, and general well-being of a child can be permanently and severely harmed by malnutrition. Due to the complexity of the stunting issue, numerous interventions have been developed in an effort to address it. Women's energy and protein supplements as well as neighborhood-based programs for nutrition promotion and education are a couple of examples of these interventions. Providing pregnant women energy and protein supplements can help increase birth weight by 41g and lower the risk of small gestational age deliveries by 21%. Additionally, it helps lower the risk of newborns with low birth weight. Secondly, to prevent stunting in children, community-based platforms for nutrition education and promotion help conduct programs that prioritize children's health. (Liberato et al., 2019) Several interventions have been implemented in order to avoid or treat stunting worldwide, including nutrition education, improved access to clean water and sanitation, health care interventions, and agricultural interventions. These interventions can effectively reduce the risk of stunting, but they may be limited by a range of challenges and limitations, including cost, sustainability, access, and infrastructure. Interventions that address the underlying causes of stunting, such as poverty and food insecurity, tend to be more effective, but they can be complex to implement. (Caufield, et al., 2021)
Latest Efforts to fight Stunting in the Philippines
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines have been successful in raising awareness about the importance of proper nutrition and good health during this year's Nutrition Month, which took place in July. The theme of the event was "Batang Pinoy, Sana Tall… Iwas Stunting, Sama All!" and "Iwas ALL din sa COVID-19," which focused on improving resilience against COVID-19 and minimizing the long-term effects of malnutrition. (Unicef Philippines, 2020) Despite good economic growth and increased health budgets, little progress has been made in reducing stunting in the country over the last 15 years. There is a risk that the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an increase in the number of stunted children if no mitigating measures are put in place. UNICEF has supported Nutrition Month activities, including a First 1000 Days Webinar Series with NNC, DOH, and the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), which called on all sectors of society to scale up and deliver critical interventions during the first 1000 days of a child's life. (Talle, 2016) There are several key legislations in place in the Philippines that aim to promote and protect children's nutrition, including the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act, and the Expanded Maternity Leave Act. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022 also provides a framework for addressing malnutrition and its underlying factors, including stunting.
Clincher
The purpose of this literature review is to examine the issue of malnutrition and stunting in the Philippines, particularly in Barangay Ermita in Cebu City. The review discusses the three broad categories of malnutrition (undernutrition, micronutrient-related malnutrition, and overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases) and the current situation in Barangay Ermita, where it has been reported that 18.9% of children under the age of five are malnourished or underweight. The data gathered above defines stunting and its relationship to being underweight, as well as the consequences of stunting on physical and cognitive development and its impact on education and economic outcomes. These studies also examine several treatments used to prevent and cure stunting, such as nutritional supplements, nutrition education, increased access to safe drinking water and sanitation, health care interventions, and agricultural interventions. While these interventions can be helpful, the study adds that they may be constrained by a variety of obstacles and limits, such as cost, sustainability, access, and infrastructure. Furthermore, the study also emphasizes the significance of tackling the root causes of stunting, like poverty and food insecurity, as well as the necessity for a multi-sectoral approach to malnutrition.
2.2 Conceptual Framework
According to a research study entitled "Breaking the Curse: Addressing Chronic Malnutrition in the Philippines through a Health System Lens," About a third (or 3.5 million) of Filipino children under five years old are stunted, a marker of chronic malnutrition (UNICEF 2021). Stunting is caused by chronic and recurring "stresses" that the child experiences during a critical period that begins during pregnancy and lasts until the first 1000 days of life and results in undernutrition. The structure above depicts the three (3) direct or proximal pressures that raise the likelihood of stunting: 1) maternal malnutrition, 2) child nutritional deficiencies, and 3) recurring illness or sickness. Food security, maternal and child health practices, and the environment all exacerbate these proximal pressures in the undernutrition pathway. The wide disparities in socioeconomic position aggravated the high frequency of stunting. In 2015, 49% of children living below the poverty line and 20% of the population were stunted, in comparison to the 14% in the top 20% (UNICEF, 2021). Moreover, the Philippines is one of the countries with the greatest amount of discrepancy, with a 34% point absolute difference. Thus, the global average difference was merely 11% points and reduced disparities in socioeconomic status are a crucial technique for lowering overall frequency (Ulep, 2021).
References Cited:
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Lim, C. A. (2018, August 1). Special Report: ‘Busy’ parents, convenience fuel child malnutrition (First of three parts). SUNSTAR. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1754887/cebu/feature/special-report-busy-parents-convenience-fuel-child-malnutrition-first-of-three-parts
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