KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Soccsksargen underscored the urgent need for preventive action to address malnutrition before it leads to long-term health impacts.
“We should move and ensure that good nutrition starts now, for the young ones to avoid stunting later in life,” said Dr. Aristides Concepcion Tan, regional director of DOH-CHD Soccsksargen.
Despite intensified efforts of the Regional Nutrition Council (RNC), malnutrition—particularly among children—continues to be a serious concern in the region.
“What we see today is the result of nutritional neglect from more than a decade ago. We must act now to change that trajectory,” Tan pointed out.
According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey conducted by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute and the 2024 Nutrition Operation Plan Data (OPD) consolidated by National Nutrition Council (NNC), Soccsksargen continues to face alarming levels of undernutrition and stunting across various age groups.
The reports indicate that Soccsksargen ranked 3rd in the country with a 42 percent prevalence in household food insecurity, showing the continued struggle of many families to access nutritious food daily.
Among children aged 0–59 months, Region 12 recorded an 18.6 percent prevalence in underweight, placing it 6th nationwide.
Stunting—an indicator of chronic undernutrition—remains one of the most pressing issues, with the region ranking 2nd in the Philippines among children under five, a public health significance level considered high to very high.
Wasting, or acute undernutrition, had a 6.2 percent prevalence, ranking the region 10th nationwide.
Meanwhile, anemia among children aged 6–59 months also remains a challenge, with a 15 percent prevalence, placing the region 3rd nationwide and classified under a mild public health significance level.
For school-aged children (5–10 years old), Soccsksargen ranked 10th for underweight with a 42.5 percent prevalence, 5th for stunting at 23.7 percent, and 16th for wasting at 5.9 percent. Overweight and obesity among this age group was at 7.8 percent, placing the region 13th.
Among adolescents (10–19 years old), Soccsksargen ranked 2nd in stunting with a 29.6 percent prevalence and 12th in wasting at 10.1percent.
Gladys Mae S. Fernandez, officer-in-charge of NNC in Region 12, called for sustained implementation of nutrition programs, especially those targeting pregnant women, infants, and young children.
“The data underscores the importance of timely interventions. It is not just about feeding programs; it’s about ensuring access to health services, educating families on proper nutrition, and empowering communities to take part in the solution,” she said.
Both the DOH and RNC reiterated the need for stronger community engagement, intensified local government support, and inter-agency collaboration to address the root causes of malnutrition and promote better nutrition practices at the grassroots level.
Fernandez emphasized that RNC continues to coordinate with local government units, government agencies, and development partners to strengthen nutrition programs to reduce malnutrition in the region. (AMB, PIA Region 12)
