Malnutrition most prevalent among fisherfolk families: survey

LADY VICENCIO

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1706623662389.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Fisherfolk and port workers attend to their boats amid strong winds at the Binangonan Fish Port in Rizal on May 31, 2023. ABS-CBN News/Jonathan Cellona, file</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Malnutrition is most prevalent among fishing families, a study by the Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) showed.</p><div> </div><p>Results of the Expanded National Nutrition Survey collected in 2018, 2019, and 2021 showed that one in every five infants to toddlers aged five in the Philippines were underweight.</p><div><br/></div><div> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/12/23/malnutrition-still-prevalent-in-ph-study">Malnutrition still prevalent in PH: study</a></div><div><br/></div><p>Three out of ten kids in the same age group from among fisher families were stunted. </p><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile 3 out of every 10 children aged between 5 and 10 years old were underweight and stunted.</p><div> </div><p>Atty. Gloria Ramos, vice president of non-government group Oceana, linked poverty and lack of access to affordable food as factors to malnutrition among kids from the fishing sector.</p><div> </div><p>“Ironically, ‘yan ang sinasabi nila: &#x27;Kami ang nagpu-provide, pero kami ang mahirap. Malnourished ang aming children because ‘yung mga high value, ‘yung maayos na isda, ibinebenta. Sa kanila ‘yung tira-tira&#x27;,&quot; Ramos said.</p><div> </div><p>With lack of quality food, children are at risk of developing micronutrient deficiency, according to the National Nutrition Council.</p><div><br/></div><p>Micronutrient deficiency can lead to drowsiness, fatigue, and low intelligence quotient.</p><div> </div><p>Experts advise increasing intake of seafood rich in micronutrients needed for mental development such as iron, iodine, and vitamin A.</p><div> </div><p>DOST-FNRI Senior Science Research Specialist Eva Goyena noted that households commonly consume milkfish and tilapia because these are affordable.</p><div> </div><p>However, she stressed that wild catch fishes like tuna, mackerel, and round scad (galunggong) offer more nutritional value.</p><div> </div><p>“Mas mataas ang nutritional value in terms of calcium, Omega-3, fatty acids, iron, Vitamin A, and other micronutrients…They are less affordable if i-compare mo ‘yung isang kilo ng lapu-lapu compared to bangus, but we need to consider the nutritional value especially the Omega-6, which is good for the heart,&quot; Goyena said.</p><div> </div><p>Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang of the National Nutrition Council encouraged families to help teach kids to eat fish and seafood.</p><div> </div><p>&quot;To all the mothers out there: everyone, start your children food to be nourished with food that are healthy, nutritious. Rich in proteins, carbohydrates…Kailangan din natin ng iodine; it makes us have higher IQ points,&quot; Dayanghirang said.</p><div> </div><p>Sen. Cynthia Villar, who heads the Senate Committee on Agriculture, sees the urgency to prioritize the fisheries sector.</p><div> </div><p>&quot;According to study, dati ang fish from the wild catch is 70 percent. Ngayon, 46 percent na lang… Aquaculture is overtaking the wild catch in terms of producing the fish for our people so may problema talaga tayo,” the senator said.</p><div> </div><p>Local Government Undersecretary Odillion Pasaraba, meanwhile, encouraged local government units in coastal areas to foster growth in these communities.</p><div> </div><p>&quot;Government units considered to be coastal, please remember that your strength for growth is the waters. You will never go wrong with coastal resource management, fish preservation,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Malnutrition is most prevalent among fishing families, a study by the Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) showed.</p>

Malnutrition is most prevalent among fishing families, a study by the Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) showed.

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Malnutrition most prevalent among fisherfolk families: survey

Malnutrition most prevalent among fisherfolk families: survey

LADY VICENCIO,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 30, 2024 10:09 PM PHT

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