BACKGROUND

In the Philippines, the prevalence of food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting the nutritional status of communities nationwide. Urban areas in particular are vulnerable to the harmful effects of food insecurity, and the effects are extended and magnified when it comes to children.

This study aims to evaluate the coping strategies of households with children aged 0-10 years old in an urban poor community in Quezon City. In particular, the study will determine Coping Strategies Index (CSI) scores and the frequency of specific coping strategies used.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the coping strategies of 405 households with children in the community during the pandemic. Mothers or caregivers were given a survey inquiring about the sociodemographic data and CSI.

Sociodemographic profiling showed that the households generally belonged to class D and E (PhP 15,000 and below) income households (73.8%). The majority of the household heads (52.6%) have their highest educational attainment at the high school level. The majority (77.5%) of the households were categorized as having low CSI classification (90%CI: 73.9, 80.8). This could indicate that relief operations conducted in the community may have helped ease their food insecurity. Coping strategies that were most frequently employed by the households were depending on less preferred or more affordable food (74.8%), rationing money for prepared food (69.1%), and purchasing food on credit (58.5%).

Low CSI classification was noted, which may be due to increased adaptation to persistent food insecurity and the utilization of coping strategies not indicated in the questionnaire. Common coping strategies used by households include reliance on less favored or less costly food items, rationing resources for prepared food, and food on credit. It is recommended that the results collected be used to target food availability and accessibility interventions in the community.

Background: In the Philippines, the prevalence of food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting the nutritional status of communities nationwide. Urban areas in particular are vulnerable to the harmful effects of food insecurity, and the effects are extended and magnified when it comes to children. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the coping strategies of households with children aged 0-10 years old in an urban poor community in Quezon City. In particular, the study will determine Coping Strategies Index (CSI) scores and the frequency of specific coping strategies used. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the coping strategies of 405 households with children in the community during the pandemic. Mothers or caregivers were given a survey inquiring about the sociodemographic data and CSI. Results: Sociodemographic profiling showed that the households generally belonged to class D and E (PhP 15,000 and below) income households (73.8%). The majority of the household heads (52.6%) have their highest educational attainment at the high school level. The majority (77.5%) of the households were categorized as having low CSI classification (90%CI: 73.9, 80.8). This could indicate that relief operations conducted in the community may have helped ease their food insecurity. Coping strategies that were most frequently employed by the households were depending on less preferred or more affordable food (74.8%), rationing money for prepared food (69.1%), and purchasing food on credit (58.5%). Conclusion Low CSI classification was noted, which may be due to increased adaptation to persistent food insecurity and the utilization of coping strategies not indicated in the questionnaire. Common coping strategies used by households include reliance on less favored or less costly food items, rationing resources for prepared food, and food on credit. It is recommended that the results collected be used to target food availability and accessibility interventions in the community.
Food Insecurity ; Adaptation, Psychological

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic placed the Philippines’ food and nutrition issues front and center. In this paper, we discuss the response of its government in addressing food and nutrition security at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and describe its implications on nutritional status. We also cite initiatives that address food accessibility and availability in the communities. Lastly, we explore the importance of nutrition security dimension in food security.Methods: We analyze food and nutrition security issues in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic through online reports and news articles.Results: The distribution of food and financial assistance in the country was extensive, albeit insufficient, considering the prolonged lockdown restrictions. Constantly changing community quarantine guidelines have affected the movement of food supply, delivery of health services, and household economic security. Nutrition programs, such as vitamin A supplementation, feeding for children, and micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women, had lower coverage rates, and by the latter half of 2020, the country had reached its highest recorded hunger rate. Cases of both undernutrition and overnutrition are predicted to rise because of dietary imbalances and a variety of factors. Conversely, community members and some local government units took it upon themselves to improve the food situation in their areas. The provision of food packs containing fresh fruits and vegetables was lauded, as it exemplified a conscious effort to deal with nutrition security.Conclusion: Efforts to address food security have always focused on increasing accessibility, availability, and affordability, often neglecting the nutritional components of foods. Strategies that incorporate nutrition security into food security are much needed in the country, especially during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study identified the prevalence of Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) use. It determined the factors associated with NFP use among young adults aged 19-30 years old in the National Capital Region (NCR). Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study collected data using a developed survey questionnaire. It was pretested to 32 respondents and administered online among young adults aged 19 to 30 years old residing in NCR at the time of the study, with a target sample size of 384. Convenience sampling was used to gather study participants. Nominal, ordinal, and interval data were summarized as frequencies and proportions. Mean and standard deviation were computed for ratio and interval data. Multiple logistic regression was used to test for the association to NFP use, reported as odds ratios. Results: Study findings showed that the prevalence of NFP use among the respondents was 50.49% (95% CI: 44.64 – 54.81%). The factors found to be associated to NFP use were: 1) being a primary household food shopper (p-value= 0.029; OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05–2.63), 2) having a special diet (p-value= 0.001; OR: 3.40; 95% CI: 1.62–7.14), 3) using nutritional supplements (p-value= 0.041; OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.02–2.25), 4) preparing food at home (p-value= 0.019; OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.08–2.49), and 5) engaging in physical activity (p-value< 0.001; OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.37–3.06) regularly. Conclusion The findings show the need for improved nutrition education and promotion, especially in the NFP. The study recommended improvement in the study methodology and nutrition education programs. It suggested several research areas and topics to be explored.
Food Labeling ; Diet ; Young Adult

Background and Objective: Iron deficiency anemia, the most common type of anemia, is a disease of public health significance that leads to negative economic and health implications. Dietary diversity is one of the recommended strategies in combating micronutrient deficiency such as anemia and may be measured through Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). The study aimed to determine whether DDS is associated with anemia status among nonpregnant women of reproductive age (WRA) in Pasay City, Philippines. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the: (1) prevalence of anemia, (2) mean DDS, and (3) association between DDS and anemia status among the study population. Methodology: The study was analytic and cross-sectional that included 121 nonpregnant WRA who were selected using stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. Data collection methods included anthropometric assessment, hemoglobin determination, and 24-hour food recall as basis for calculating the dietary diversity score. Results and Conclusion Results of the study found that the prevalence of anemia was 21.49% and mean DDS was 4.46 (between low and moderate DDS). A statistical association was found between DDS and anemia status (p<0.001) such that the odds of having anemia was 25.47 times higher among women with low DDS compared to women with moderate/high DDS. Therefore, nutrition education and promotion awareness is needed on dietary diversity to prevent anemia among women of reproductive age.

Objective: This study identified the prevalence of Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) use. It determined the factors associated with NFP use among young adults aged 19-30 years old in the National Capital Region (NCR). Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study collected data using a developed survey questionnaire. It was pretested to 32 respondents and administered online among young adults aged 19 to 30 years old residing in NCR at the time of the study, with a target sample size of 384. Convenience sampling was used to gather study participants. Nominal, ordinal, and interval data were summarized as frequencies and proportions. Mean and standard deviation were computed for ratio and interval data. Multiple logistic regression was used to test for the association to NFP use, reported as odds ratios. Results: Study findings showed that the prevalence of NFP use among the respondents was 50.49% (95% CI: 44.64 – 54.81%). The factors found to be associated to NFP use were: 1) being a primary household food shopper (p-value= 0.029; OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05–2.63), 2) having a special diet (p-value= 0.001; OR: 3.40; 95% CI: 1.62–7.14), 3) using nutritional supplements (p-value= 0.041; OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.02–2.25), 4) preparing food at home (p-value= 0.019; OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.08–2.49), and 5) engaging in physical activity (p-value< 0.001; OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.37–3.06) regularly. Conclusion The findings show the need for improved nutrition education and promotion, especially in the NFP. The study recommended improvement in the study methodology and nutrition education programs. It suggested several research areas and topics to be explored.
Food Labeling ; Diet ; Young Adult

Background: Anemia is the most common medical disorder throughout a woman’s life. Given that anemia during reproductive years impacts future gestational and perinatal health, then any factors possibly associated with the disorder should be studied and ultimately addressed. Objective: This study aimed to determine anemia prevalence and its associated factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle, knowledge, dietary and biochemical) among a select group of women of reproductive age (WRA) living in Tondo, Manila. Methods: This is an analytic cross-sectional study that utilized interviewer-assisted questionnaire and blood extraction to collect data from 166 WRA (18-40 years). Results: Anemia prevalence among the study participants was found to be 9.0%. In terms of associated factors, being anemic was found to be more likely if the WRA has these factors: higher parity, graduated from college; unemployed; living in a low-income household; took iron supplements, and; have low knowledge on iron. On the other hand, increase in age, increase intake of heme iron and non-heme iron food sources, and an increase in blood ferritin concentration were factors that made anemia less likely among WRA. Conclusion Examining these factors provides insight into the multicausal nature of anemia. Thus, prevention and control programs should focus on the contribution and interrelatedness of these factors to address anemia.
Female ; Iron ; Reproduction ; Hemoglobins

Objective: Rural and urban differences affect food availability, accessibility, and sustainability; thus, it has a great impact on household food security and dietary diversity. The relationship between the human environment and other factors threatens different domains of food systems resulting in food security. The objective of this study is to determine significant differences between the prevalence of household food security and diet diversity between urban and rural communities in Occidental Mindoro. Specifically, to determine the pattern of usual food intake of preschool children between rural and urban communities Methods: This study utilized a comparative, cross-sectional, analytic study design in order to determine the prevalence of each variable of interest in the two study areas. Radimer-Cornell Tool was utilized to assess the food security status of the household while the FAO-Dietary Diversity Score Questionnaire was used to the diversity of diet among PSC. A total of 480 (rural: n=240; urban: n=240) preschool children were recruited to participate in this study. Ratio and proportion using the point and interval estimate were used to determine the prevalence in different areas, meanwhile, chi-square of homogeneity was used to determine significant difference in the two areas under study. Results: Food insecurity in rural communities was found to be at 56.25% (95% CI: 49.97% to 62.53%) while the prevalence in urban communities was 45.83% (95% CI: 39.53% to 52.14%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of household food insecurity between rural and urban communities (p=0.0224). Meanwhile, the prevalence of less dietary diversity among preschool children in rural communities was 37.08% (95%: 30.97% to 43.19%) and 26.25% (CI: 20.68% to 31.82%) for urban communities. There was a significant difference in prevalence of low dietary diversity score among preschool children between rural and urban communities (p=0.0107). Conclusion There were significant differences in terms of household food insecurity and less diverse diet between two community settings. Higher prevalence in rural areas signifies that there is a need to prioritize these vulnerable communities in terms of hunger mitigation and nutrition programs. A combination of milk-rice-meat-fish was observed in the diet of preschool children for both communities however, higher prevalence of less dietary diversity was detected among rural communities.
Child ; Preschool ; Food Insecurity Diet

Objective: This study has been conducted to determine the prevalence of nutrition label use and the factors associated with it among adults in selected communities in Los Baños, Laguna. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study, which conducted face-to-face interview using a developed questionnaire, among 440 adults in the top four barangays with highest population in Los Baños, Laguna using twostage sampling design. In the first stage, three puroks were randomly selected in each barangay, while households were selected using systematic sampling in the second stage. An eligible adult in each selected household was invited to participate in the study. Results: Study findings revealed that nutrition label use among adults in the selected communities was 87.73%. Factors found to be associated with nutrition label use were: 1) intention to use nutrition label (OR: 4.37; 95% CI: 1.77–10.82), 2) enough perceived time-spent on shopping (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.17–4.01), and 3) searching for specific information (OR: 4.77; 95% CI: 2.55–8.93). Conclusion These study findings can be used in promoting and increasing nutrition label use in the country and serve as basis for improvement of nutrition labeling policies. Moreover, this study can serve as a reference in the development and strategy-planning of interventions and programs especially in promoting healthy diets.
Prevalence ; Food Labeling

BACKGROUND: Cooking oils used for long periods of frying are subject to oil deterioration. Total polar compounds (TPC) is the general parameter used to quantify oil deterioration wherein the maximum allowable TPC of cooking oil is 25%. The time it takes to reach 25% TPC was defined as the frying life of oil.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of oil type and frying temperature on frying life.

METHODS: The frying lives of coconut, canola, and palm oil as well as the oils heated at 150ºC, 170ºC, and 190ºC were determined. Spectrophotometric analysis was performed and TPC values were calculated from absorbance using the equation: y = -2.7865x2 + 23.782x + 1.0309.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: The mean frying lives were 20.24h, 10.80h, and 13.49h for coconut, canola, and palm oil, respectively. Regardless of oil types, the mean frying lives were 16.23h, 11.93h, and 13.82h at the following frying temperatures namely; 150ºC, 170ºC, and 190ºC , respectively. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the frying lives of the three oil types and those of the three frying temperatures.

CONCLUSION: Coconut oil had a longer mean frying life than both palm and canola oil. In terms of frying temperature, the longest mean frying life was observed in the oils heated at 150ºC, followed by the oils heated at 190ºC. There was a significant interaction between oil type and frying temperature observed in the study.