Philippine E-Journals

Nutritional status of preschool children among families of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps) beneficiaries in selected barangays of Virac, Catanduanes

Elena G. Tasarra | Emily V. Romero | Hedelissa T. Gianan | Ma. Resadel O. Santonia

 

Abstract:

The study evaluated the nutritional status of 4Ps beneficiaries specifically the preschoolers using the OPT result in 2015 conducted by the Municipal Nutrition Office of Virac, Catanduanes. The sample barangays were categorized by location, urban and rural. The nutritional status indicators considered were weight-for-age and height for-age to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in selected barangays according to location. For comparison of the two groups, underweight and stunting among the preschoolers is higher in the urban barangays by 21%. In addition, 50% were having normal nutritional status in the urban and 72% in the rural barangays. Findings showed that though these preschoolers are beneficiaries of the 4Ps program their nutritional status is still below normal. However, there are other factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of nutritional deficiency disorders. It is therefore recommended that further study should be conducted to determine other nutrition and nutrition related factors for the improvement of the nutritional status of the preschoolers.