BAGUIO CITY(PIA)--The Cordillera Administrative Region recorded a decline in the prevalence of malnutrition among zero to 59 months old children in 2023.

Velanie Dao-ines of the  National Nutrition Council – Cordillera  reported during the recent Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) meeting  that based on the 2023 Operation Timbang Plus (OPT) data, stunting prevalence among zero to 59 months old children decreased to 5.96 percent from 7.49 percent in 2022.

Mountain Province recorded the  highest prevalence rate of stunting  with 11.47 percent,  followed by Apayao with 9.96;  Abra, 9.16; Kalinga, 6.81; Benguet, 5.2; Ifugao, 4.07, and Baguio City with 1.58 percent.

Wasting prevalence rate or low weight for height among children under five in the region decreased to 1.04 percent from 1.47 percent in 2022.  Abra  remained  with the highest wasting prevalence rate with 1.75 percent, then Apayao  with 1.69;  Kalinga, 1.27;  Mountain Province, 0.9; Benguet, 0.63; Ifugao, 0.44, and Baguio City with  0.25 percent.

For underweight, the prevalence rate decreased to 2.44 percent from 3.05 percent in 2022. Still, Abra recorded the highest prevalence of underweight with 5.48 percent. Apayao  has  4.14 percent; Mountain Province, 3.45;  Kalinga, 2.88; Benguet,1.49;  Ifugao, 1.36, and Baguio City, 1.33 percent.

The OTP is the annual weighing and height measurement program conducted by LGUS in coordination with the national Nutrition Council to monitor the nutritional status of children under five years old.

During the RNC meeting, the NNC-CAR also presented the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028, RPAN 2023 accomplishment report, updates on the RNC weight management project

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – CAR  also presented updates on implementation of the supplementary feeding program in the region. (JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)