LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — As climate change increasingly threatens food production and food security across the country, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in the Ilocos Region is urging families, communities, and local government units (LGUs) to adopt climate-resilient nutrition practices to help reduce malnutrition and improve public health.
This year’s Nutrition Month carries the theme “Food and Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!”(Food and Nutrition Security, Make It a Priority! Adequate Food is Our Right!), while the regional campaign highlights the link between nutrition and environmental sustainability through the sub-theme, “Nutrition at Kalikasan, Pangalagaan” (Protect Nutrition and the Environment).
Jeffrey Peralta, Project Development Officer I of NNC Ilocos, said environmental disruptions directly affect food production, making it more difficult for families to access safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
“If we look at our ecosystem, when it is disrupted, our food system is also affected. And when the food system is affected, the health of every Filipino is affected as well. That is why we encourage everyone to adopt climate-resilient practices such as climate-smart agriculture, reducing food waste, and proper food management,” Peralta said.
He said the annual Nutrition Month celebration aims to raise awareness of proper nutrition, encourage healthy behavioral changes, and strengthen the participation of government agencies, schools, communities, and families in promoting nutrition security.
While the latest National Nutrition Survey shows improvements in several nutrition indicators, Peralta said stunting among Filipino children remains a major public health concern.
In the Ilocos Region, however, Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) monitoring has recorded a steady decline in malnutrition among children below five years old over the past five years, with all forms of malnutrition remaining below five percent.
Despite this progress, he noted the growing incidence of overweight and obesity among school-age children, adolescents, and adults, underscoring the need to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles alongside efforts to address undernutrition.
Peralta said inadequate nutrient intake, limited nutrition knowledge, and environmental factors all contribute to poor nutrition outcomes.
He emphasized that proper nutrition should begin during pregnancy and continue throughout a child’s first 1,000 days of life, describing it as the “golden window of opportunity” for physical and mental development.
“The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are extremely important because this period lays the foundation for their health, brain development, physical growth, and immune system. When both the pregnant mother and the child receive adequate nutrition, there is a greater chance of preventing stunting, wasting, being overweight, and obesity,” he said.
To improve nutrition outcomes, the NNC encourages exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, age-appropriate complementary feeding, balanced diets, regular growth monitoring, and proper hygiene.
It also promotes choosing locally produced and seasonal food, reducing food waste, planning meals wisely, and establishing home or community gardens to improve access to nutritious food.
Peralta also called on schools to strengthen nutrition education and promote healthier food choices in school canteens – while barangays, community organizations, and LGUs can support community gardens and sustain nutrition programs beyond Nutrition Month.
He emphasized that improving the country’s nutrition situation requires collective action from government agencies, civil society organizations, schools, communities, and families.
“Malnutrition cannot be addressed by a single agency alone. When everyone contributes, whether in small or big ways, we can create a much greater impact in reducing malnutrition,” Peralta said.
As part of the month-long observance, NNC Ilocos has lined up activities, including the Regional Nutrition Month launch in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, the Regional Nutrition Summit in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, a webinar series, poster-making and Nutri Jingle contests, nutrition education sessions, and the Regional Culminating and Awarding Ceremony on July 30.
Peralta urged LGUs to sustain nutrition interventions throughout the year, emphasizing that protecting the environment, ensuring access to nutritious food, and encouraging healthy lifestyles are shared responsibilities that can help build healthier and more resilient communities. (AMB/MTDA, PIA Ilocos Norte)
