Bohol dairy feeding shows positive results as planned

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—The supplementary carabao milk feeding program implemented in Bohol is already successful, but if parents could be more informed of the benefits of the supplementary feeding program, there could even be much better results.

Thus said a registered nutritionist and provincial nutrition focal person Ma. Maida Bertumen Virtudazo.

Speaking at the regular monthly meeting of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) at the Reynas Garden June 23, Virtudazo, who also sits at the National Nutrition Council in Region 7 said they have seen positive results and improvement in the nutrition status here, since Bohol took a look at its dairy produce for its supplementary feeding.

Along with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education and the Provincial Government under Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, funds were allocated to get locally produced milk from the Philippine Carabao Center and the National Dairy Authority in Ubay.

Nutrition wise, carabao milk has 11.42% higher protein than cows milk, according to experts.

It is an extremely rich source of calcium and other essential minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, making it superior to cow's milk in calcium with only +9%, +37.7% iron and +118% phosphorus.

However, Virtudazo said parents fear that giving carabao milk to their kids can cause an upset stomach.

Too bad, some parents reportedly keep the milk rations and dispose of them, according to separate reports.

This as Central Visayas still has to face a stark reality staring right at it: 2 out of every 3 kids are too short for their ages, 2 out of every 10 kids are too light for their age, 7 out of 100 kids are too thin for their height and 3 out of every 100 kids are too heavy for their height.

The data stated are results of the 2015 National Nutrition Survey, shared Ma. Maida B. Virtudazo, during a session with the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) in their monthly assembly and information sharing at the Reynas Garden and Haven, July 23.

Kids, when they are too short for their ages are technically stunted, those too light for their age are underweight.

When they are too thin for their heights, they are wasted while when kids are too heavy for their height, they are overweight.

As to Virtudazo, much of the problems in nutrition can be traced to parental preparation, when during pregnancy, the mothers to be, are nutritionally at risk, simply unaware of the effects of effects of unprepared pregnancy and continued with giving birth.

Getting enough food with enough nutrients, as food is more than just sustenance but a fundamental part of health, as this plays a vital role in maintaining bodily functions, supporting growth and promoting faster healing, she said.

While food is any substance that people consume to maintain life and growth, nutrients are those substances obtained from food and are largely used for energy, building and repairing tissues and regulating body processes.

As such, nutritional status is the state of the body as determined by the kinds and amount of food consumed and the ability of the body to use them, she explained.

By this, she said malnutrition can be understood as a condition of the body which is caused by prolonged deficiency, excess or imbalance in one or more nutrients.

Virtudazo, named the most important nutrients as carbohydrates, fats and oils, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrates are the main sources of energy, one people can get from roots, tubers, gains, sugar, furits, legumes, dairy products and vegetables, while fats and oils give concentrated forms of energy, help absorb vitamins, help cell membranes health and maintain the body’s immune system.

Proteins on the other hand help the body perform body building and repair functions, and when the body gets low carbohydrates, they help fill in the gap.

Moreover, vitamins and minerals, or micronutrients help in regulation tissue growth and vital body functions including preserving cell integrity.

She stressed on the importance of getting the right nutrients from the food and balancing one’s intakes based on the recommended measures in the national standard of Pinggang PInoy. (PIABohol)