DOH Heads Nutrition Month Celebration

The Department of Health (DOH) Region IX together with its partner agencies stresses the importance of children’s health starting from conception as they celebrate this years nutrition month with the theme “First 1000 Days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan.”

The theme focuses on the first 1000 days of life starting from conception and before the second birthday of the child.

“It is during this period when growth faltering happens. Many studies have shown a link between under nutrition, especially stunting, in the first years of life and over nutrition in the later years.” Ms Evelyn Capistrano, the Nutrition Coordinator said in a media forum held July 13, 2016.

Calling the First 1000 Days as the “golden window of opportunity” for a comprehensive package of nutrition and related intervention, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) stresses the importance of this stage to achieve significant changes in reduction in child stunting, underweight and wasting, at the same time contribute to complete child development.

Highlighting the First 1000 Days during Nutrition Month this year, the agencies concerned headed by the DOH, they aim to create awareness on the importance of proper infant and young child feeding practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and giving appropriate complementary food after six months while continuing breastfeeding.

“One of the aims of this celebration is to promote collaboration among various stakeholders both at the national and local levels for programs serving families with pregnant mothers and children less than 2 years old.” NNC said.

The 2016 Nutrition Month celebration also serves as a venue for the launching of the Early Childhood Care and Development Intervention Package (ECCD-IP) for the First 1000 Days.

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