Davao City gov't intensifies health, nutrition drive amid slight increase of underweight kids

She said there is a slight increase in cases of severely underweight children last year, attributed largely to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the city recorded a 96.58 percent prevalence rate of children with normal weight which is slightly higher than the 96.48 percent  recorded in 2019. 

However, the city’s severely underweight prevalence rate of 0.43 percent (or equivalent to 782 children) in 2020 increased slightly to 0.45 percent (a total of 789) in 2021. 

The city is also monitoring obesity cases which rose from 585 (0.32%) in 2020 to 1,179 (0.67%) the following year. 

Banzon confirmed that the overall decreasing trend of malnutrition cases before 2020 was hampered by the health crisis. 

“From 2019, our prevalence rate was decreasing. Our communities, including the parents, worked hard but the effects of the pandemic were unprecedented. Many were distracted by this pandemic,” Banzon said. 

“Our nutrition and other related services remain efficient,” she added. 

Banzon has called on Dabawenyos to visit the nearest barangay or district health centers to avail themselves of free health services, especially those for children.

The services include immunization, dental care, general and diet consultations. 

Banzon said children’s health and nutrition should be fostered during pregnancy, as she urged pregnant women to avail themselves of free prenatal services. The CHO also encourages mothers to breastfeed their infants. 

“We are encouraging all pregnant women to visit our health centers because we now have services. With consideration to health protocols, they must avail prenatal services. We are reiterating that we should have our deliveries in our hospitals to reduce the risk of maternal deaths and infections,”