NNC reiterates proper nourishment in first 1,000 days of life

TACLOBAN CITY, July 5 (PNA) –- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) emphasized the need to curb malnutrition within the first 1,000 days of life, citing the irreversible health-related consequences to a child.

NNC regional program coordinator Catalino Dotollo warned that if a child is not properly nourished from conception up to two years old, there’s high probability of suffering stunting or growth failure.

“The growth faltering is fast in the first 1,000 days and the windows of opportunity of intervention can be done in this period,” Dotollo said.

The critical period are 270 days from conception until birth, 180 days from birth to six month, and 550 days before the child’s second birthday.

Proper nourishment in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is the emphasis of this year’s Nutrition Month, which aims to promote collaboration among various stakeholders for programs serving families with pregnant mothers and children less than 2 years old.

The advocacy, according to Dotollo, is very helpful in Eastern Visayas considering that in the 2015 survey, three out of every 10 children had short heights and low body masses for their age group.

This year’s celebration is anchored on them “First 1,000 Days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan.”

“The first 1,000 days has been called the “golden window of opportunity” for building the foundation for the child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive,” he added.

Dotollo said that given the slow rate of reduction in the prevalence of undernutrition over the years, and increasing prevalence of overnutrition, focusing on the first 1,000 days of life will help address this double burden of malnutrition.

The NNC urged various stakeholders to join in the month-long celebration by taking part in the promotion of care for pregnant women (from the child’s conception and before birth), breastfeeding (from birth to six months), and complementary feeding (from six months to two years).

On Tuesday, national government agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations joined the regional launching of Nutrition Month celebration in this city.

July was designated as Nutrition Month, for the purpose of creating greater awareness among Filipinos on the importance of nutrition. (PNA)

LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO