“UGALIING magtanim, Sapat na nutrisyon aanihin!” is this year’s theme for the 44th Nutrition Month. 
It is a campaign which aims to contribute to improved nutrition through improved food access by increasing the number of households, schools, and communities engaged in food gardens.
In the 8th National Nutrition Survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, it was reported that although there is an improvement in the micronutrient status of several population groups, iron, iodine, and Vitamin A deficiencies is still a problem. Iron deficiency or anemia and Vitamin A deficiency disorder (VADD) are prevalent among infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women. Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is prevalent among pregnant and lactating women. There is also an increase in the percentage of households with daily intake below the recommended 100 % dietary energy requirement. The survey result also showed that Filipinos’ consumption of fruits and vegetable is low compared to the 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day recommendation of the World Health Organization.
With these data, encouraging the Filipinos to start and develop food gardens will help alleviate the problem on certain nutrient deficiencies, reduce food insecurity or food poverty, increase fruits and vegetables consumption, and to have an impact to food gardening society which will not only result to better nutrition but also lower the expenses allotted for food.
Starting and developing a food garden can be challenging because of the resources, work, and responsibility that it will require. The important thing is the realization of its impact, benefits, and long term good effect both physically and economically. One can always start small and identify the crops they are comfortable to maintain and then eventually progress when they get used to it. Maintaining a food garden is a form of physical activity, therapeutic, and stress-relieving to some. It is one way to have a better access to good nutrition along with other factors like healthy food choices and lifestyle change and modification however challenging it can be especially in this time of instant, processed, and fast foods.
Fe del Mundo Medical Center’s Nutrition Clinic offers nutritional assessment and diet counseling from Mondays to Fridays, 8am-5pm.
For more details, please call 7120845 to 50 loc. 569.
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