Undernutrition among school-aged children continues to be a public health concern in the Philippines, where agriculture is the primary source of income. School-age is a crucial phase of development and growth among children since it can establish nutritional knowledge and healthy eating habits across the next life stages. Evidence suggested that undernutrition exists among school-aged children belonging to households relying on agriculture. This study aims to identify factors affecting the nutritional status of school children belonging to farming households. The data set from the 2015 Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Other Population Groups of the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) consisting of 1,689 school children belonging to farming households was used in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine significant factors affecting the nutritional status of school-aged children while holding other variables constant. Household wealth index and age were significantly associated with underweight and wasting. Meanwhile, poor dietary diversity score was also an essential confounding factor between socioeconomic status with underweight and stunting but not wasting. The study’s findings can provide empirical evidence that the most important underlying causes of undernutrition among school-aged children belonging to farming households were wealth index and food availability. It is recommended that their investments be made in addition to livelihood for families relying on agriculture and provide them better access to government services to diminish the existing issues of scarcity.
The importance of agriculture across the different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) results from its increased relevance to long-term developmental consequences that affect children and other vulnerable groups. Although encouraging progress has been achieved in documenting nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) in community-based programs through analyses of existing data, much remains to be learned about what, how, and at what cost agriculture can contribute to improving nutrition outcomes. This study aims to explore the perceptions and understandings of local agriculture planners towards NSA in CALABARZON, Philippines. It also aims to describe the current position of the local agriculture planning in the study area. Data were collected using a phenomenological study design using two focus group discussions and five key informant interviews. Municipal agriculturists, municipal agriculture officers, agriculture extension workers, municipal nutrition action office (focus groups), and provincial agriculture officers (key informants) were recruited. Patterns were identified through a rigorous process of data familiarization, data coding, theme development, and revision. It was observed that NSA is a new concept among the local agriculture planners in the study area. Understanding of the participants on NSA mainly focused on improving the nutrient content of the crops produced to improve the nutrient intake of the population. Although the agriculture office has conducted several programs related to nutrition in the past, the continuity of the projects was not sustained. Thus, there is a need to increase the awareness of local institutions towards the importance of improving the nutrition sensitivity of local agriculture plans.
Across the globe, millions of people are experiencing poverty that further deteriorates the food security of the population. In the Philippines alone, millions of children were suffering from inadequate food intake and undernourishment. Dilemmas concerning household food insecurity continuously impose threats in the growth of children. This study aimed to determine the association of household food insecurity with underweight among preschool children in Occidental Mindoro. Specifically, it estimates the prevalence of household food insecurity, less diverse diet, and underweight among preschool children. This study utilized analytical, cross-sectional design whereas three multi-stage, systematic simple random sampling design was used to select the 480 preschool children. The Radimer-Cornell tool and child growth standards were used to assess household food security status and weight-for-age status of children, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used to answer the major objective. The prevalence of household food insecurity was recorded at 51.0% (95% CI: 46.6–55.5%). Meanwhile, the prevalence of less diverse diet among preschool children was 31.7% (95% CI: 27.5–35.8%) and underweight was 30.2% (95% CI: 26.3–34.6%). After controlling the confounding effect of a less diverse diet, it was found that the odds of being underweight among preschool children were seven times higher if a household was food insecure (OR: 7.1, 95% CI: 4.2–11.8). Prevalence of household food insecurity, less diverse diet, and underweight among preschool children were found to be high in Occidental Mindoro. After controlling the effect of a less diverse diet, the odds of having an underweight child were 86% lower if the household was food secure.
Undernutrition among school-age children remains to be highly prevalent in developing countries. The adverse impact of undernourishment among school-age children could significantly affect their cognitive development, school performance, and future productivity. Despite the government's efforts in poverty and hunger reduction, the Philippines continuously sustains a high prevalence of undernutrition among school-age children. This study aims to determine the influences of different factors on the weight, height, and body mass index of school-age children in farming households. This study utilized data from the 2015 Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Other Population Groups of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute. This study includes 1689 school-age children from farming households who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings of this study suggested that household wealth index, household size, and food security status affected the weight of school-age children in farming households. It was also observed that household wealth index, size, food security status, and dietary diversity status significantly affect the height of school-age children in farming households. Lastly, the wealth index, the age of children, and the number of 0-10 years old children in farming households significantly affect their body mass index. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence that the most important underlying causes of undernutrition among school-age children belonging to farming households could guide policymakers and program planners to craft interventions that target this vulnerable group.
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