Stunting rate among children in Kalinga in decline - PHO Data

Tabuk City, Kalinga―The Operation Timbang Plus (OPT) gathered data reflects a continuous reduction on the stunting rate of children aging 0 to 59 months in Kalinga.

Based on the 2021 OPT data, with the recorded 3,051 number of stunted children, the prevalence rate of stunted children has greatly reduced from 15.6 in 2019, 2020 with 15.3, and 12.9 this 2021.

Accordingly, the municipalities of Pasil and Balbalan recorded the least number of children suffering from stunting.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edward Tandingan implies that the interpretation of stunting is, “indication of chronic malnutrition because of the limited food isu nga haan a (timmayag) linearly. Still, Tabuk City has the highest proportion kasi mataas ang number nila,”

He added that prolonged stunting and malnutrition has a consequence to the overall development of a child, which will eventually become intergenerational.

Childhood stunting is characterized by prolonged nutritional deficiency among infants and young children that is considered one of the most serious, but least-addressed problems in the Philippines.

As of 2021, the Philippines’ rate of stunting ranks fifth among countries in the East Asia and Pacific region with the highest stunting prevalence, and among the top 10 countries globally with the highest number of stunted children.

On the bright side, the government has taken steps to arrest malnutrition in the country, with the creation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022.

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