Introduction: Micronutrient malnutrition among young Filipino children is attributed to inadequate food intake and improper feeding practices. To improve nutrient intake, home fortification using multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) targeting 6 -23 monthold children became an intervention program referred to as Point of Use Complementary Food Fortification with Multiple Micronutrient Powders in Zamboanga City and the Municipality of Aurora in Region IX, Philippines. This study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and use of complementary food with MNPs in the context of the said intervention program and implementation areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 randomly selected primary caregivers with 6 -23-month-old children in the covered program areas. A questionnaire designed to elicit knowledge and use of MNPs was developed and pre-tested before data collection. Results: Results showed that all respondents were aware of MNPs, with local health workers as the information source. Percentage of respondents with knowledge of the purpose of MNPs varied widely. Among those who did, the most well-known function was improving children’s health status. The most common practice of fortifying food with MNP involved adding it to boiled rice and vegetable dishes. Home fortification is popularly practised after cooking the food. Of the 20% respondents who claimed to observe changes in their children due to MNP, the top two positive results were children’s increased appetite and increased growth. Conclusion: Awareness of the MNP does not necessarily translate into knowledge of what the MNP is made up of or its purpose. Although home food fortification using MNP was practised by most households, this study revealed deviations from recommendations on how to properly fortify their foods using the MNPs. Based on the findings in this study, there is a need to complement awareness of the primary caregivers with knowledge on MNPs through counselling and initiating support groups among caregivers to serve as credible and first hand examples of the proper use of MNPs.

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.

<p>BACKGROUND: Solving a multi-faceted problem like malnutrition, with causes cutting across a number of sectors, requires a combination of efforts and programs. Many corporations have embarked on programs that can contribute to the reduction of malnutrition.p><p>OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe and analyze the nutrition-related Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs of six corporations and their contribution to reducing malnutrition.p><p>METHODS: This study gathered data using a self-administered, pretested questionnaire and interviews with representatives from six corporations. Data were analyzed by profiling and characterizing the CSR programs according to five parameters and the programs' overall contribution to nutrition improvement.p><p>RESULTS: Corporations in the food and beverage industry implements the most number of nutrition-related CSR programs and are mostly focused on nutrition-specific interventions. The corporations were found to implement programs that are appropriate and effective.p><p>CONCLUSION: The CSR programs have the capacity to contribute to nutrition improvement by being able to address some of the immediate, underlying, and basic causes of malnutrition.p>
Malnutrition

<p style="text-align: justify;">OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the acceptability of four height/length boards as measuring equipment, (1) NNC wooden height board (HB), (2) Allen's stick, (3) aluminum-acrylic height board, and (4) stadiometer, from the perspective of the community nutrition and health workers (CNHWs) and mothers/caregivers.p><p style="text-align: justify;">METHODS: The study was conducted in two municipalities in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Respondents were 12 CNHWs and 22 parents/guardians of randomly selected children ages 1-5 years. Focus group discussions were also conducted among CNHWs to determine their perceptions, experiences, and feedback on the use of the equipment. Parents/guardians were interviewed about their views on the acceptability of the equipment.p><p style="text-align: justify;">RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the urban area, Allen's stick was most favored by end-users, while in the rural area, the NNC wooden HB was the most acceptable. Meanwhile, guardians preferred the aluminum-acrylic HB in the rural area and Allen's stick in the urban area. It was concluded that the use of height boards to measure the height or length of children was acceptable to both CHNWs and parents. CHNWs preferred the stadiometer for height measurement and Allen's stick for length measurement. In contrast parents/guardians preferred the aluminum-acrylic HB and Allen's stick as these were deemed non-threatening, culturally acceptable, safe, comfortable for the children, and the procedures were easily understood.p>
Nutritional Status

Introduction: Folate deficiency is associated with many complications of pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and factors associated with deficiency in red blood cell (RBC) folate among Filipino women of child-bearing age in the Province of Batangas, Philippines. Methods: A total of 184 Filipino women aged 15 to 49 years were interviewed on their socio-economic and demographic profiles. Mean energy and folate intakes were obtained using food recalls over a three-month period. RBC folate was used to measure long-term folate status and analysed through immuno-assay method. Results: About two in ten women were folate deficient based on the normal cut-off points (<400 ng/mL) preventive of neural tube defect-affected pregnancies. Respondents have very low intake of folate at 81 and 239 micrograms dietary folate equivalent (µg DFE) from dietary sources and with folic acid supplementation, respectively. Vegetable gardening and livestock raising (p<0.10) and use of folic-acid containing supplements showed significant correlations with folate status (p<0.05). Further, regression analysis showed that among the significant factors, the non-usage of folic acid-containing supplements showed increased likelihood of RBC folate deficiency by six times compared to users (OR=6.391, p<0.10). Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest a high prevalence of folate deficiency among Filipino women. Folate is an essential nutrient for healthy pregnancy. It is important that women, capable of bearing a child must assure adequate folate intake from foods and folic-acid containing supplements. The study recommends a more aggressive campaign on the importance of folate among women of child-bearing age.

<p style="text-align: justify;">OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to analyze the household dietary diversity of beneficiary and non-beneficiary households of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in selected barangays in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines and determine the nutritional status of children (6-60 months old) within these households.
METHODS: Household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was used as an indicator for the households' dietary diversity. The nutritional status of children was determined using anthropometric data from the Barangay Health Centers. A total of 270 households was randomly selected through stratified random sampling with equal allocation.
RESULTS: Findings showed that beneficiary households had higher HDDS compared to the non-beneficiary households. The results also suggest that beneficiary households with larger household size, higher income, who were living in rural areas and who have female as well as more educated financial managers, tend to have a more diverse diet. On the other hand, a higher prevalence of malnutrition was observed among children in beneficiary households.
CONCLUSION: Beneficiary households of 4Ps had better diet quality in terms of diversity than non-beneficiary households. However, the advantage of having a more diverse diet has not fully addressed the malnutrition problem among children as it was still widely prevalent in beneficiary households.p>
Family Characteristics ; Diet

Introduction: There is a dearth of public health and nutrition information available pertaining to the indigenous groups in the Philippines. Hence, this study described the prevalences of stunting and zinc deficiency, as well as factors associated with zinc status of 3-5 years old children among the Kankana-ey people, an indigenous group living in Kibungan, Benguet, Philippines. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in the conduct of the study where 63 study participants were randomly selected from a chronological list of names of eligible Kankana-ey children by drawing lots. The mothers/primary caregivers of these children were interviewed to collect their socio-economic and demographic data, and dietary intake was assessed through three non-consecutive days 24-hour food recall. Height and weight of the children were also measured to determine their nutritional status. Lastly, blood samples were collected to determine the zinc status of the children based on serum zinc concentration, analysed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Results showed that 54.0% and 50.8% of the Kankana-ey children had stunting and zinc deficiency, respectively. There was significant positive association between being exclusively breastfed and current zinc status (p=0.001). On the other hand, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed between zinc intake and zinc serum concentration (r=-0.291, p=0.021). Conclusion: Undernutrition among Kankana-ey children is a major public health concern in Kibungan, Benguet. Preventive actions must be taken to alleviate the severity of both stunting and zinc deficiency, and to mitigate possible consequences by strengthening the current nutrition and health programmes for indigenous groups, especially among young children.