“MALNUTRISYON PATULOY NA LABANAN, FIRST 1,000 DAYS TUTUKAN!

July is the month where we celebrate Nutrition Month based on Presidential

Decree 491 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines. It is an annual campaign which
aims to raise awareness among every Filipino on the importance of proper
nutrition.
For the 47th nutrition month, the theme of the campaign is “ Malnutrisyon
Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days Tutukan!”
It calls for a continued efforts to address malnutrition in the country which Is
expected to worsen as a result of the pandemic and limited resources for nutrition.
The question is, “How are we going to address this?”
Malnutrition is defined as not having enough energy and nutrients to live a
physically and active healthy life. It encompasses both overnutrition and
undernutrition. It has also direct negative consequences in terms of disease and
disability, brain development, educational attainment and income potential for
individuals and communities.
The cycle of malnutrition may begin with the undernourished mother who
cannot provide her child with sufficient nutrients at the foetal stage, as she herself
has not benefited from a rich diet.
Therefore to prevent malnutrition, baby’s first 1,000 days is of utmost
importance?

What is the baby’s first 1,000 days?

The first 1000 days of the baby begins from the moment of conception inside
the mothers womb up to the age of two. It is divided into three stages.
First is the pregnancy which includes the 270 days of the baby inside the
mothers womb until the moment of birth. During this time, mother should have
monthly check-up, drink iron folate supplement to avoid iodine defeciency which
can cause 10-15 points reduction of child’s IQ and can lead to low birth weight. The
mother should also have balance diet which includes rice, meat, fish, green leafy
vegetables, yellow fruits, milk and egg product o ensure optimum health of the
mother and child. It is also during this time that the mother should have knowledge
o the proper way of breastfeeding.
Second is infancy which includes 180 days of the baby from the time of it’s birth
up to their sixth month. During this stage, the mother should feed the baby
colostrum as it serve as vaccination for child, protection against diseases and it
raises child’s IQ by 5-7 points. It is also during this time that the baby should have
monthly check-up and undergo new born screening.
And the last is the toddler years which includes the last 550 days of the baby or
from baby’s seventh month up to two years. During toddler years, the mother
should continue breastfeeding, give the baby proper attention and care and provide
the baby proper food intake like rice/lugaw, vegetable, meat, fish, chicken, egg, milk,
cheese and margarine.
The first 1000 days of the baby is considered as the golden window of
opportunity for during this time, the baby’s physical and mental development
happen that’s why baby needs to have proper nutrition as it will determine the
baby’s growth and intelligence.
But what will happen if the baby’s first 1,000 days is being ignored?
Let us have a clearer opinion from M. Pearl -

Questions:
1. What is the importance of the first 1,000 days of the baby?
2. What will happen if the baby’s first 1,000 days is being neglected?
3. How can we lessen if not avoid malnutrition specially now in times of
pandemic?

Therefore, to prevent malnutrition, we need to eat nutritious foods and balance

diet. Breastfeeding and immunization is also of great help. By giving importance on
the baby’s first 1,000 dayswe can contribute on decreasing the malnutrition.