KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Cases of child stunting in all the provinces of Soccsksargen region have decreased in the past three years, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) here reported on Monday.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Retsebeth Laquihon said the number of preschool children with stunted growth is on a downtrend, from a prevalence rate of 8.5% in 2019 to 7.05% in 2021.

This is equivalent to around 27,000 stunting cases recorded among children under five years old in the region.

Stunting, especially in the first 1,000 days has harmful consequences for the individual and society, such as low educational performance, low adult wages, lost productivity, increased risk of non-communicable diseases, and even death.

Meanwhile, Laquihon noted that malnutrition rate in the region is still manageable because of the collaborative effort of all stakeholders.

“Meron tayong indicators sa undernutrition, ito yung stunting, wasting and underweight. Itong tatlong indicators na ito sa three-year trending natin shows na pababa po yung ating trending and so far manageable siya..” Laquihon said.

“Malaki din po ang contribution ng local government units para i-manage and i-prevent ang malnutrition at their respective levels,” she added.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the NNC urged LGUs to include freshly harvested fruits and vegetables to the food packs being distributed on top of the usual canned goods to ensure that residents, especially children still get the nutrients they need. (ORVR)