Stunting remains a public health concern in Region 7

Local

STUNTING remains the leading form of malnutrition among children under five years old in Central Visayas, with over 58,000 children affected despite a slight improvement in prevalence, according to the National Nutrition Council- Central Visayas (NNC-7).

The region’s latest stunting rate stands at 7.2 percent, a reduction from the previous 8.5 percent, but still represents a significant public health concern, said Dr. Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of NNC-7.

“Even if the rate went down, we are not complacent,” Mission said in an interview on July 1, during the launch of the 51st Nutrition Month. “This still translates to about 58,000 warm bodies—children who need our attention.”

While Negros Oriental remains the most nutritionally challenged province in Central Visayas, Cebu Province ranks second in stunting, wasting, and underweight indicators.

“In terms of overweight and obesity, Siquijor is the most affected,” Mission added, “but Cebu City is next in line across all major undernutrition indicators.”

According to past Operation Timbang Plus (OPT Plus) data, Cebu Province’s stunting rate was at 3.5 percent, affecting nearly 9,725 children, with Cebu City and Metro Cebu contributing significantly to the regional burden.

What stunting really means

Stunting is a form of chronic malnutrition where a child is too short for their age, caused by prolonged undernutrition, poor maternal health, frequent illness, and lack of care during the first 1,000 days of life.

While other indicators like wasting (1.3%), underweight (3.0%), and overweight (2.0%) have also seen slight improvements regionwide, stunting remains the most persistent—and most dangerous—because of its lifelong impact on cognitive and physical development.

Targets and challenges

With the 2025 targets of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) under review, NNC-7 aims to push stunting prevalence even lower, despite acknowledging the difficulty of achieving steep reductions within short periods.

“We are aiming for at least a 1% reduction in stunting and other indicators annually,” Mission said. “It’s a challenge, but that’s what we’re working toward.”

She noted, however, that overweight and obesity are proving to be harder to combat due to sedentary lifestyles, poor food choices, and the proliferation of unhealthy processed foods.

Call for LGU support and local champions

Mission urged newly elected officials, particularly Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. and Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, to prioritize nutrition planning and funding in their local development programs.

“What we’re encouraging our LGUs to do is create an enabling environment for malnutrition reduction,” she said. “That includes passing policies, funding their local nutrition action plans, and appointing full-time nutrition action officers.”

Currently, most municipalities still rely on part-time coordinators, resulting in poor implementation of nutrition programs.

“Nutrition is often left behind,” Mission added. “But if we invest in it, we’ll see fewer sick children, better school attendance, and a healthier workforce in the long run.”

Nutrition Month initiatives

This year’s Nutrition Month will roll out several innovations, including:

Reformulation campaigns urging food manufacturers to reduce fat, sugar, and salt in their products.

Healthier food options in government agency canteens.

School- and community-based interventions, such as supplementary feeding and education drives.

Encouraging daily workplace exercise through the “3 o’clock habit” to address obesity.

Mission also encouraged parents of school-aged children to lead by example at home.

“We challenge our mothers and caregivers to model healthy eating,” she said. “Start while you are pregnant.

Children develop taste preferences early—show them that vegetables and healthy foods are the norm.”

NNC-7 reported that Central Visayas is largely on track in meeting its nutrition goals under PPAN, except in reducing overweight and obesity. Mission emphasized that sustained collaboration between LGUs, civil society, and the private sector is essential.

She concluded with a renewed call.

“To our newly elected leaders, we’re counting on your support. Invest in nutrition now, and you invest in the future of your constituents.”(TGP)