The nutrition situation in Central Visayas in the Philippines has stabilized as the COVID-19 situation in the country improves, according to results from the 2022 Operation Timbang Plus presented by the National Nutrition Council Region VII during MIND 7's Q1-2023 meeting on March 28.
Underweight prevalence has returned to its pre-pandemic pace of 3.6%, down from 4.9% in 2021, while overweight and obesity has decreased to 2.8% from a peak of 3.1% in 2021. Stunting prevalence has also decreased from 9.7% in 2021 to 8.5% in 2022.
However, wasting prevalence, caused by sudden changes in health or food security, has increased, and chronic malnutrition may become a problem in the future.
Local governments have been urged to prioritize nutrition in their agendas.//Nancy Cudis-Ucag, MIND 7 VP-Social Media