QUEZON CITY (PIA) – Proper nutrition during the first 1000 days of a child’s life is crucial for preventing stunting and obesity, according to the Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD).
“During the first 1000 days of life, the right, complete, and sufficient nutrition should be provided,” emphasized Nutrition Dietician (ND) IV Josefina Serneo of DOH-MMCHD in an interview Tuesday on the sidelines of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas media forum in Manila.
Serneo stressed that healthy child development starts with a healthy mother. “The mother should get proper care during pregnancy,” she said. This includes taking iron with folic acid supplements, which are essential for preventing birth defects in the developing child.
Supporting mothers in their breastfeeding journey is also key to preventing childhood stunting and obesity, Serneo said.
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary feeding until the child is 2 years old and beyond, can ensure healthy growth, she added.
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“Exclusive breastfeeding, which prohibits the use of formula milk, often leads to newborns maintaining a healthier weight and leaner physique,” Serneo explained.
“Formula milk, known for its high sugar content, can make newborns chubby or cute, but it may also contribute to early obesity or overweight.”
Investing in proper nutrition during the critical first 1000 days prepares children for a healthier future, Serneo said.
“Once a child is stunted within their first 1000 days or first 2 years of life, it is permanent; it cannot be reversed, and the situation cannot be altered,” she added
The weekly Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a nationwide, simultaneous weekly forum organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and implemented by the Philippine Information Agency. It serves as a platform for open dialogue and direct communication between government agencies, the media, and the public, which is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to highlight the government’s accomplishments at the regional level.
The forum is aired on PIA’s multi-media platforms. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
