Malnutrition in young children is often viewed as an outcome of the interactions of dietary consumption, socio-economic, and demographic factors. Social capital is a widely explored subject because of its implications on health and socio-economic factors, but has not gained recognition in its role as a determinant of nutritional status. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the association between maternal social capital and nutritional status of 6 to 24-month-old children living in urban and rural areas and to compare the effect of maternal social capital on the child’s nutritional status between an urban and a rural community setting. Methods: A total of 135 randomly selected mothers were interviewed in selected urban and rural communities in San Pablo City and Municipality of Rizal, Laguna, Philippines. Chi-square and Spearman’s test were used to determine the association of variables. Binary logistic regression was used to predict the effect of maternal social capital on nutritional status. Results: Levels of maternal social capital were the same in the urban and rural areas (p=0.24) and had a strong association with household food security ( p <0.05). In the urban area, maternal social capital was strongly associated with mother’s education ( p <0.01) and weight-for-age ( p <0.01) and height-for-age ( p <0.05). In the rural area, maternal social capital was strongly associated with mother’s education ( p <0.01), ethnicity ( p <0.01), marital status ( p <0.05) and weight-for-age ( p <0.01). Conclusion: There is an association between material social capital and nutritional status. Improvements in education and household food security as well as having parents living-in together may lead to better nutritional outcomes as these factors are associated with maternal social capital which in turn affects nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months.

Introduction Fishes and shellfish not only contribute to food and nutrition security but also to the livelihood of coastal communities in the Philippines. However, some fishing grounds are contaminated and health advisories against seafood consumption are issued, which may negatively affect the fishing communities’ livelihood. This study aimed to assess fish and shellfish consumption of households living in selected coastal barangays of the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System ( MMORS). The food systems framework was applied whereby fish and shellfish consumption and livelihoods were viewed as part of a larger food system. Methods: The study was conducted in five barangays of the MMORS. A total of 110 household respondents were selected based on systematic random sampling. Key informants were interviewed to determine fish farm production and distribution. The final questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic information, household consumption information on frequency of consumption of fishes and shellfishes, sources of produce, fish and shellfish preparation and cooking methods, and perceptions on the fish produce in the area. Data were encoded and tabulated while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fishes and shellfishes are grown in earth-diked fish ponds using river water or harvested along the river system. No post-harvest processing is done and harvests are directly sold in fish markets within the area or nearby towns depending on the price and size of harvests. Fish consumption in both areas is affected by taste, tradition, price, nutritional value, age, gender and intra-household roles, and is found to be higher compared to national levels in the Philippines. Conclusion: The feedback of health and nutrition advisories which are based on food consumption patterns to other food outcomes like livelihoods and ecological health were included in this study. Based on the findings, it is suggested that appropriate interventions should be implemented to balance food system outcomes.

ntroduction: Governance affects nutrition improvement. This study aimed to determine the association between nutrition governance (NG), nutritional status (NS) of children under five years (CU5) and good governance for nutrition (GGN) in Laguna, where malnutrition is a chronic problem. Methods: This crosssectional study obtained data from thirty cities and municipalities (C/M) using desk review and face-to-face interviews. A developed scorecard generated NG and GGN data using 3-point scale with "0" as lowest/absence to "1" indicating partial to "2" as highest/full compliance. Total NG scores was 26 while 38 for GGN. NS was determined using Operation Timbang Plus data. Spearman's rank analysis statistically determined the associations between NG, NS, and GGN. Results: Underweight and wasting prevalence were low (6.1% and 3.4%) while stunting was high (17.7%). The median percentage scores of C/M on NG and GGN were 73.0%±14.0% and 82.0%±24.0%, respectively. Rosa City and Kalayaan had the highest NG score and the lowest underweight prevalence in urban and rural areas, respectively. Significant but negative associations were found between NG and underweight (r=-0.729, p<0.001), and stunting (r=-0.753, p<0.001). Likewise, GGN and underweight (r=-0.488, p=0.006), and stunting (r=-0.380, p=0.046) showed negative associations. Conclusion: C/M in Laguna with higher NG and GGN scores have lower CU5 underweight and stunting prevalence. The study recommended to local governments to invest in establishing separate nutrition unit, hiring technical and administrative staffs, formulating vision and mission, and building capacity on nutrition programme management.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of micronutrient powders (MNP) containing 15 versus nine nutrients, with or without complementary food blend (BigMo), on the nutritional status of rural young children in the Philippines. Methods: The study was conducted for 6 months among 126 rural children aged 6-17 months in four villages selected by cluster randomisation. Children were randomised into four groups: VitaMix with 15 micronutrients plus Bigas Mongo (BigMo) (n=31); VitaMix without BigMo (n=31); Micronutrient Growth Mix (MGM) with nine micronutrients plus BigMo (n=29); and MGM without BigMo (n=31). Blood samples were collected at baseline and endline to determine haemoglobin, ferritin, retinol, and zinc concentrations. Intervention compliance, weight, length, and dietary intakes were collected every month. One-way ANOVA was used to compare changes in the mean estimates across groups. McNemar and Pearson’s x2 tests were used to compare changes in the proportion estimates within groups and across groups, respectively. Results: Both VitaMix and MGM with or without BigMo improved haemoglobin concentrations and reduced anaemia (Hb<11g/dL). However, only VitaMix and MGM combined with BigMo had effects in reducing moderate anaemia (Hb<10g/dL), compared to groups without BigMo. Only MGM+BigMo group demonstrated significant reduction in the prevalence of moderate non-iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) (Hb<10g/dL and ferritin>12ug/L). A significant increase in the length-for-age z-scores was noted in the MGM with and without BigMo groups. Conclusion: Daily supplementation of MGM with nine micronutrients combined with complementary food blend may have a greater potential than MNP with 15 micronutrients in improving the nutritional status of young children.