Survey says Cordillera teeners, kids getting obese, stunted

BAGUIO CITY—An official of a nutrition research agency has asked government officials to improve the health and nutrition of Cordillera women, especially those aged 20 and below, because of growing evidence that these future mothers are prone to obesity and undernourishment.

The latest health and nutrition profile in the region also showed that many Cordillera infants and toddlers (children up to 23 months) were stunted and undernourished, because of unhealthy parents, said

Dr. Jocelyn Juguan, senior science research specialist of the Food and Nutrition  Research Institute (FNRI).

The FNRI is an agency under the Department of Science and Technology. During the presentation of the 2011 National Nutrition Survey results here on Friday, Juguan also said the latest survey showed that one of every four pregnant Filipino women is “nutritionally at risk,” stressing that adolescent pregnancies represent the population within this risk group.

It said three of every 10 Cordillera adults are obese. Among Cordillera youth aged 10 to 19 years, one of 10 was obese. Vincent Cabreza,

Inquirer Northern Luzon