(Cover photo courtesy of Valenzuela City Public Information Office)

Three-year-old Hope (not her real name) laughed happily as she was hoisted onto a weighing scale at the Disiplina Village health station in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City. 

This was Hope's first time to join Operation Timbang Plus, an annual nutrition monitoring program for children under five years old.

Just months ago, Hope was dangerously underweight and malnourished. Her mother, Mila, struggled to provide nutritious food for her family. With her husband still seeking a stable job, they could hardly afford three nutritious meals a day.

Hope was listless, sickly and losing weight rapidly. Mila said she used to feel helpless seeing her daughter waste away. That was until they joined Operation Timbang Plus being implemented by the Valenzuela City government.

During the initial weigh-in, a  Barangay Nutrition Scholar took one look at tiny Hope and knew she required urgent intervention. 

Hope was immediately given vitamin supplements to provide her the nutrients she desperately lacked. 

Barangay health workers also provided Mila information materials about nutrition and linked her to health services and social safety nets.

Operation Timbang Plus is an annual weighing and height measurement program conducted by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to monitor the nutritional status of children under 5 years old. 

This program is critical for safeguarding Filipino children's health and development.

Health risks of malnutrition

Malnutrition during childhood can lead to stunted growth and impaired cognitive development. Children who are underweight are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Those who are overweight face increased risks of chronic illnesses like diabetes later in life. Operation Timbang Plus allows early detection and intervention to prevent these detrimental health effects.

Customized nutrition interventions

The granular data gathered from weighing and measuring children identifies individuals and areas needing priority nutritional support. This enables targeted distribution of micronutrient supplements, deworming tablets, and nutrition education. Children at risk of malnutrition can be linked to health services and social safety nets.

"Through the City Health Office’s Nutrition Unit, Valenzuela City’s Operation Timbang Plus is carried out every first quarter of the year. Reinforcing children’s nutrition situation, deworming tablets and vitamin A are administered by doctors with dosages depending on the child’s age and health history," City Information Officer Mara Salazar said.

"Corresponding Barangay Nutrition Scholars are also present at every OPT Plus supervising the correct weigh-in sessions and height measuring. Parents and guardians are also taught how to deworm their kids at home properly," she added. 

Salazar further said that by using the preferred "salter-type weighing scale" of the NNC, children under 5 years of age, who submit to the weigh-in session, are provided the proper dosage before getting the chewable deworming tablet and drops of Vitamin A for clearer eyes and a stronger immune system.

The gathered data will also be used for the city’s nutrition program planning, to evaluate and enhance local nutrition programs, aiming to fight malnutrition in the city.

On the other hand, trends uncovered by the OTP over time inform enhancements to local and national nutrition policies and programs. The annual exercise provides a barometer to gauge the effectiveness of interventions and allocate resources accordingly.

Encouraging regular monitoring

Operation Timbang Plus motivates parents and communities to routinely monitor children's growth indicators. This fosters a culture of prevention and early action before malnutrition sets in. It empowers families with knowledge to optimize their children's diets and wellbeing.

Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian encourages parents and guardians to be informed and participate in Operation Timbang Plus at their respective barangays, 

“Bilang isang magulang din, mahalaga na makibahagi po tayo sa pag-monitor kung sapat o kulang ang timbang ng ating mga anak depende sa kanilang edad. Mabuti rin na mabigyan sila ng deworming tablets at Vitamin A nang sa gayon ay maging ligtas at protektado ang mga bata sa mikrobyo na maaaring makuha sa kapaligiran at mga pinupuntahang lugar.” 

(Speaking as a parent myself, it is important for us parents to take part in monitoring the weight and height of our children, as it should match their age. Deworming tablets and Vitamin A intake are also good for them to be safe and protected against microbes that can be obtained in the environment and places they go.)

Protecting a vulnerable group

Proper nutrition is especially important in the critical first 1,000 days from conception to age 2 when bodies and brains rapidly develop. Operation Timbang Plus safeguards the most nutritionally vulnerable group - infants and toddlers - during this formative window of opportunity.

By providing vital data and interventions, Operation Timbang Plus gives Filipino children the best chance at a healthy future. The program's continued success will uplift society for generations to come. (PIA-NCR)