REPORT ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF STUDENTS

Introduction

Nutrition is a complex and fast developing science. Nutrition is the science that deals with all the various factors of which food is composed and the way in which proper nourishment is brought about. Nutrition is part of every family's health responsibility. Nutrition is the process by which we take in and use food and supplements for health, growth, and energy.

A healthy diet and good nutrition are essential building blocks for good overall health. Hence, the importance of watching what we eat and maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet is always stressed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the increasing prevalence and incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) or diet – related lifestyle diseases during adulthood result from faulty nutrition and lifestyle practices during pre-adolescence and adolescence. WHO defines adolescents as those aged between 10 and 19.

Bottomline is, there is poor nutrition among the adolescents and poor nutrition among adolescents can lead to slow growth and development, poor school performance, sluggishness, easy fatigability, delay in the onset of secondary sex characteristics, micronutrient deficiencies particularly anemia and poor nutrition in adulthood.

Studies show that malnutrition among adolescents is common because of their poor eating habits and practices. Adolescents do not eat enough vegetables but ate fruits. While most adolescents know what food are best for them and have satisfactory food habits, poor food choices and intake are often influenced by peers and media.

From the foregoing, the promotion of good nutrition during the adolescent years of every Filipino citizen should never be downplayed. As the young of today is the future leaders of the future, then the need to be healthy NOW while still young is imperative.

Activities

To very well understand the health condition of the students of Recodo National High School, assessment of the nutritional status of individual student was conducted on July 31, 2009 (start of School Year) utilizing the International Reference Standard (IRS). The use of IRS in the assessment of Nutritional Status (NS) reflects the maximum growth potential of every student without limiting the competitive potential within the boundaries of their place.

Each teacher assisted in the height and weight measurement of all students, done by section. The results are shown in the Body Mass Index of Male and Female Students According to Age and School Nutritional Status Report.

Findings

There are more underweight than overweight students in the School. There are more underweight 11-13 years old students compared to 13-19 years old students. More males are underweight than females. The bar graph below shows the trend.

Further, over-nutrition is not prevalent among 10 - 19 year olds. However, one female student in the 11–13 years old age group revealed an above normal body mass index. Males tend to be less overweight when they get older.

This is the nutritional status of students in Recodo National High School as could be glimpsed from the results of the Survey conducted by the School, from the heights and weights measurement of students present during the day.

Recommendations

If the community will continue to have a reservoir of future leaders, something must be done about the nutritional status of the children. The findings on the nutritional status of male and female students of Recodo National High School revealed an alarming number of under-weights for both sexes. Hence, the need to improve the nutritional status of all concerned is a must.

The following actions and/or interventions are then recommended, thus:

v Inform the parents about the result of the survey on the nutritional status of their respective children especially those that need special attention – the under-weights and over-weights. Also, promote good nutrition not only for them but their children.

v Teach students to practice healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition as this will give them a better chance to become healthy and productive adults in the future.

v Track the food intake of under-weights and over-weights.

v See to it that food choices available to the students in school should contribute to their nutritional status. School canteens should serve more nutritious chips, no carbonated drinks and artificial fruit juices and varied kinds of nutritious food to improve food choices of the students.

v Organize school feeding program or activities that shall improve nutritional status of all students.

v Benchmark best practices of other Schools that led to the significant improvement of their students’ nutritional status.