IDENTIFYING

NUTRITION
PROBLEM
AND ITS CAUSES
Identification of nutrition
problem and it’s causes are
important in describing the
nutrition situation of a
barangay.
 Group Activity 1
Tasks
 determine nutrition problem/s
 list the causes
 Group Activity 2
Tasks
programs implemented,
strategies employed and
difficulties encountered
resources available and
possible constraints
CONSTRUCTING A
PROBLEM TREE
Problem Tree
o A tool for situational analysis
that represents the factors
causing undernutrition
o The tool traces the chain of factors that can
affect nutrition situation

o Provides a clearer picture of possibilities for

nutrition and related interventions

o Formulating the problem tree requires

brainstorming from the BNC members
CASE STUDY
Barangay Dalisay
Nutrition Situation in Barangay Dalisay
The nutrition problems identified among
Preschool children
o Below normal low - 10.2%
o Below normal very low - 0.9%
o Above normal - 1.8%
The nutrition problems identified among School children
o BNL - 22.4%
o BNVL - 2.6%
o AN or obese - 3.4%
List of Possible Causes of Undernutrition
o Presence of infection (leading causes of illnesses among
children are cough, fever, cold, and diarrhea)
o Incomplete immunization
o Not wearing of slippers and underwears/shorts
o Untidy playing ground for children
o Poor environmental sanitation
o Inadequate sanitary toilet
o Lack of budget for the construction of toilet facility
o Lack of participation among people towards “Clean and
Green Project” of the barangay
o Poor transportation infrastructure/facilities
 List of Possible Causes of Undernutrition

o Poor attitude of the people towards availing of health services

o Lack of time among mothers for their children
o Mother allot more time on vices like playing cards and bingo.
o Low income
o Lack of cooperation among targets toward livelihood programs
o Absence of home backyard garden
o Lack of participation of household towards program on
establishing vegetable gardens
o Large family size
o Non-practice of exclusive breastfeeding
o Mixed feeding practice as early as one month
 List of Possible Causes of Undernutrition

o Early introduction of complementary foods

o Inadequate knowledge on what food to give for weaning
o Buying cooked foods or preparing instant noodles and
canned goods.
o Poor attendance of mothers on mother’s classes conducted.
o Children prefer foods that are fried (e.g. chicken and hotdog)
and dislike vegetables
o Snack items are usually chips and softdrinks
o Allocation of money to non-food items
(buying toys among children instead of food
item at school)
Group Activity:
Construct a Problem Tree
for Barangay Dalisay
 Underweight children,
0-5 years old

Inadequate food Poor health status/

intake Presence of Illness

Food Inadequate Insufficient health services and

Insecurity care for unhealthy environment and
mothers and poor personal hygiene
children
 Food Inadequate care Insufficient health
Insecurity for mothers and services and
children unhealthy
environment

• No/short duration of
• Not enough exclusive breastfeeding • Absence or too far health
food in the • Lack of time among mothers centers
house to prepare foods for their • Inadequate health staff
• Insufficient children • Inadequate medicines
land • Baby not fed complementary • Child not adequately
• Low family food vaccinated
income • Access to family planning • No access to clean water
• Large family difficult • Not enough latrines in use
size • Women have no income of • Lack of hygiene in the
• No cultivation their own households
of home • Poor antenatal care
gardens • Inadequate support of adult
males to everyday child care
e) Listing of the causes will stop when an
activity or project to address the problem
has been identified or when an action is
beyond the decision-making capability of
the planning group
WRITING THE BARANGAY
NUTRITION ASSESSMENT
REPORT
• Results of a barangay nutritional assessment
should be documented, so a write-up of the
nutrition situation is needed
• The report becomes the first part of the BNAP

• The role of the BNS is to prepare a write-up of

situational analysis
 A sample outline
Nutrition Situation Report of Barangay _______, Year _____
I. Introduction
II. Situational Analysis
A. Overall Description of the Barangay
1.Geographical/ecological setting, area map
2.Demographic data
3.Socio-economic information
4.Agriculture data (crops, livestock and fisheries)
5.Health data
6.Educational facilities, general literacy rate
7.Water and sanitation facilities
8.Communications
B. The Nutrition Situation
1.Nutrition problems and causes
2.Performance of past nutrition programs and projects
3.Resources for nutrition
4.Potential constraints
C. Conclusions and Recommendations
Community nutrition assessment
is the most practical method of
obtaining an overview of the
nutrition situation of a given
community
 REMEMBER
• The OPT forms provided data on the forms
of Undernutrition (WHAT), prevalence
(HOW many) and WHO are malnourished.

• The family profile and spot map identify/

locate WHERE the malnourished are.
 REMEMBER
oThe family profile, spot map, other data and BNC
meetings can determine the CAUSES of
undernutrition, PROGRAMS implemented, RESOURCES
used as well as success factors, difficulties and
CONSTRAINTS in nutrition
program implementation.
Thank you!

Capacity Building of Local Level Nutrition Workers

Towards an Improved Management of Nutrition Workers
All rights reserved
2009