INTERVENTIONS AGAINST MALNUTRITION
JANUARY 2026
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Malnutrition is a serious concern in Barangay Lindang. Behind each number is a child whose growth, learning, and future are at risk. Taking action to fight malnutrition is not just necessary—it’s a commitment to giving every child a fair chance to grow up healthy, capable, and full of potential. The data presented below underscore the state of malnutrition in Barangay Lindang, highlighting the need for sustained and strategic efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of the community, particularly its most vulnerable members—children under five.
In light of this, the team Layag Lindang aims to decrease the decrease the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 0-59 months old of Barangay Lindang, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay by 40% by the year 2027.
With this aim in mind, the following targeted interventions have been structured:
MALNUTRITION PROBLEM CUES:
MALNUTRITION PROBLEM CUES:
The Barangay Nutrition Scholar recorded under-five Malnourished in the community. Specifically, these are the numbers:
12.77% (6/47) of children aged 0-59 months were reported to be stunted and 4.26% (2/47) were severely stunted.
2.13% (1/47) of children had Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).
6.38% (3/47) of children were found to have borderline MAM.
8.51% (4/47) of children were underweight and 2.13% (1/47) were severely underweight.
Mothers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Child Nutrition and Feeding
Food Sources Knowledge: 0% identified food sources for Protein, Vitamin A, Calcium, Iron, and Vitamin C.
Knowledge of Nutritional Guide: 100% unaware of Pinggang Pinoy and FNRI's Nutritional Guide Pyramid.
Exclusive Breastfeeding:
21.28%: Less than 6 months
Complementary Feeding:
48.94%: Start at 6 months
29.79%: After 6 months
17.02%: Start at 4 months
4.26%: Before 4 months
Portion Size Uncertainty: 23.40% unsure how to manage portion sizes.
Meals Per Day: 23.40% eats less than 3 meals/day
Food Security and Availability
Commonly Accessible Foods:
Fish from Zamboanga Sibugay River
Vegetables from home gardens
Rice from local farms
Preferred Food Purchases:
Daing, bagoong, noodles, sardines, canned goods
Bought from sari-sari stores for affordability, shelf life, and convenience
Meal Skipping:
23.40% (11/47) skipped meals due to food access issues, mostly once a week
Challenges in Accessing Nutritious Food:
65.96% (31/47) cited distance as the main challenge
61.71% (29/47) rely on homegrown gardens for food
Garden Challenges:
Issues with soil infertility, lack of motivation, and seed shortages
Seeds previously provided by DA are no longer available
Local Markets and Stores:
17 sari-sari stores and 2 markets observed
Residents travel to Diplahan market due to limited local supplies
Purchase from nearby stores due to financial constraints and availability
Barangay Intervention Programs
Feeding Programs:
Only 1 program was allocated for the nutrition of the children.
Measuring Tools Available
Height board and weighing scale were both borrowed from another barangay.
🔵 1st Objective: To improve the nutritional knowledge of mothers with children aged 0–59 months.
KUSUG UG LAWAS 🥕 (July 8 & 10, 2025)
Kusug ug Lawas is a two-day seminar organized by Team Layag Lindang focused on the importance of proper nutrition, early detection, and intervention in malnutrition. The activity was designed to strengthen awareness and promote healthier practices among parents and caregivers in the community.
With the support of the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) of Diplahan, Ms. Mary Lissa Yorong, and a licensed nutritionist from Ipil, Ms. Jennifer Malacat, the seminar was successfully conducted. A notable improvement in post-test scores compared to pre-test results reflected a deeper understanding and increased knowledge on nutrition and child health.
As part of the supplementary activities, educational materials such as brochures featuring Pinggang Pinoy, key sources of nutrients, and sample meal plans were distributed to participants. A Community Nutrition Information Board was established at the Barangay Health Station and in each purok to display nutrition tips, affordable meal ideas, and reminders on healthy feeding practices.
These efforts aim to support the broader goal of reducing malnutrition by equipping mothers with essential knowledge and practical skills to ensure proper nutrition for their children.
🔵 2nd Objective: To increase access to affordable and nutritious food sources within the community.
As part of the long-term strategy to promote food security and improve household nutrition, a set of gardening initiatives has been planned for implementation in January 2026. These include the creation of a community seed bank where residents can borrow or exchange seeds for growing a variety of crops such as vegetables, and fruits; training sessions on effective gardening techniques, including soil enrichment, irrigation methods, and crop rotation; the development of shared community garden spaces where residents can plant and harvest their own food; and the establishment of a school garden to engage students in hands-on planting and harvesting activities.
While these activities have not yet been carried out, Team Layag Lindang has laid the groundwork through strong partnerships with key stakeholders, particularly the Department of Agriculture and the youth-led organization Kids Who Farm, to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of the initiative.
🔵 3rd Objective: To provide training for parents and caregivers on sustainable meal planning, effective budgeting, and preparing nutritious meals to enhance household food security and child nutrition.
NUTRITION MONTH CELEBRATION 🍅 (July 13, 2025)
In celebration of the 51st Nutrition Month, a one-day community event was successfully held, bringing together all puroks of Barangay Lindang in a vibrant showcase of health and nutrition. Aligned with the 2025 PPAN (Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition) theme: “Sa PPAN: Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat para sa Lahat!”, the event highlighted the importance of collective action in achieving proper nutrition for every Filipino.
Each purok prepared a table booth displaying a variety of fruits, vegetables, and locally prepared nutritious dishes. The event featured a cooking competition judged by the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO), where participants demonstrated their skills in preparing healthy and affordable meals. A talent show and an interactive “Bring Me” game featuring fruits and vegetables added fun and excitement for participants of all ages. Throughout the event, strong emphasis was placed on health and nutrition education, reinforcing the value of a balanced diet and healthy practices in daily life.
As part of the ongoing efforts to address malnutrition, the “Idol Kusinanay” cooking demonstration and competition is scheduled to take place in January 2026. This event will feature interactive sessions on preparing nutritious meals using locally sourced ingredients, practicing portion control, effective meal planning, and maximizing nutrition while staying within budget.
🔵 4th Objective: To collaborate with the Barangay Council, BHWs, and BNS to strengthen and sustain nutrition programs aimed at preventing malnutrition within the community.
A two-day workshop on malnutrition prevention, detection, and intervention is scheduled to be conducted in January 2026. This capacity-building activity aims to equip community members and health workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and address malnutrition effectively. As part of this initiative, essential measuring tools will be provided to Barangay Lindang to support accurate health monitoring and data collection. In addition, health policy development will be facilitated to strengthen and institutionalize nutrition programs at the barangay level, ensuring a more sustainable and structured approach to combating malnutrition in the community.
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