BACKGROUND

High-risk areas in the Philippines still experience a high prevalence of undernutrition. The efforts of the governments are not enough to reach those who are in need; hence, the presence of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) is crucial. One CSO has implemented health and nutrition technical programs to increase the number of well-fed children in four selected areas in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to shed light on the differences in the nutritional status of the children when they are characterized according to their sociodemographic and economic covariates.

METHODOLOGY

An analytical cross-sectional design was used to survey 692 households, including 764 children aged 0–5 years old. Descriptive analysis and the Chi-Square test of difference were used to answer the objectives.

RESULTS

The study results show that no significant differences were observed when the nutritional status of the children was characterized according to the sociodemographic of the caregiver, food consumption score (FCS) and food security status, water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) practices, and economic indicators, except weight-for-height and marital status of caregivers, and weight-for-age and livelihood and economic support received by their caregivers (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The majority of children, regardless of their nutritional status, share the same experience and resources in terms of sociodemographics of caregivers, FCS and food security status, WASH practices, and economic indicators. CSO can boost the impact of their health and nutrition interventions by harmonizing their efforts with government programs, leading to better-targeted and more efficient outcomes.

Human ; Government ; Nutritional Status ; Malnutrition ; Philippines