Let me take one more time to commend the DOH-CAR, NNC-CAR and Regional Nutrition Council for honoring those who did well in nutrition services and program management through major awards were given by the to 3 individuals and Kalinga Province and special awards given to 32 local government units with stunting prevalence below 10% among 0-59 months, 38 LGUs with continuous decrease of stunting prevalence in the past three (3) years. One Barangay Nutrition Committee, City and contender for Nutrition Honor Award were also recognized. The awarding on Oct. 25, is an annual activity and maybe a subject of another article by the offices concerned.
With or without awards, individuals need to prioritize their nutrition. Local government units (LGUs), national government, public and private agencies and all offices need to invest on nutrition. Unlike infrastructure however, the result of nutrition investment is not tangible and takes years. Nonetheless, if we truly care for the people we serve, their nutrition should be the priority. Then unending rewards from feeling of satisfaction to community development follow.
Nutrition is a prerequisite to good health. It is the food we eat that nourishes every single cell of our body and determines its structure and integrity. The food we eat comprise our daily diet. Over a prolonged period of time, an improper diet may lead to malnutrition due to any or combination of lack or insufficiency, excess or imbalance of energy and nutrients supplied only by the food we eat. In certain instances though, malnutrition may be due to problems in the digestion, absorption or utilization of the nutrients supplied by the body due to problems inside the body.
Why be concerned of malnutrition? At the individual level, an undernourished person will have less nutrient for body cells leading to less number of antibodies so the immune system is weak and illness especially infection can set in. this can lead to susceptibility to illness with a weak immune system. If unabated as the child grows, frequent absenteeism or school drop out, low level of education, low work productivity, low income and in the case of women, giving birth to malnourished or unhealthy baby who will have his own health problems. Overnutrition breeds a high prevalence of chronic illnesses like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus among others.
Individual malnutrition combined will impact on the community as it translates to low productivity, income and demands more investments on disease treatment. Thus, even with big and beautiful roads and buildings, if there are malnourished and many of them, will there true progress and development? Why not focus on the preventive aspect?
This nutritionist-dietitian, nurse and teacher calls on every local official to give more serious attention to their nutrition program where everything and every life begins. If they truly care, invest more in nutrition – from programs, services to human resources including hiring of permanent and qualified personnel to focus on nutrition in their locality. Zeroing in on “prevention-is-better-than-cure,” let us simultaneously work to improve on knowledge on proper nutrition which may not necessarily be expensive as we maybe thinking. Have a well-nourished citizenry and everyone will be happy.
