(P07-007-25) Estimated Usual Nutrient Intakes and Prevalence of Inadequacy of Schoolchildren in Two Philippines Provinces at High Risk of Undernutrition

Objectives: To characterize the estimated usual intake of energy and 11 nutrients, the prevalence of inadequacies, and the main food sources of selected nutrients in areas with a high risk of undernutrition.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among school-aged Filipino children aged 5-10 years in Antique and Northern Samar Provinces, Philippines, from September to November 2022. Dietary data was collected using a single 24-hour dietary recall (n=342). Estimated usual intakes and the prevalence of inadequacy of energy and nutrients were calculated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) 1-day method with an external between-person to within-person variance ratio derived from the 2018 Filipino National Nutrition Survey. For iron, we employed the full probability approach to estimate inadequacy. Foods reported in 24-hour recalls were grouped according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regional food composition tables from the FAO/International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) for analysis.

Results: This study found that 40.5% of children were stunted, 11.3% experienced thinness, and 1.2% experienced obesity. The median energy intakes were 1516 (boys) and 1304 (girls) kcal/day for children under 6, and 1420 (boys) and 1404 (girls) kcal/day for ages 6 to under 10. Prevalence of inadequacy ranged from 65.8-78.1%, 35.2-43.5%, 32.6-58.6%, and 33.1 -76.6% for calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C, respectively, across sex and gender groups. Commonly consumed foods include rice, bread, cookies/cake with fillings, coconut oil, powdered milk, horseradish tree leaves (moringa), bananas, coffee, and hotdogs. Intakes of meats, fruits, and vegetables were low.

Conclusions: The prevalence of micronutrient inadequacies was concerningly high in this population of children after COVID-19. Children’s diets are mostly refined rice, with minimal fruit and vegetable consumption. While they consumed powdered milk and chicken eggs, their intakes were insufficient to meet their nutrient requirements. This dietary pattern suggests incorporating nutrient-rich and locally available food into future interventions.

Funding Sources: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant
Government Scholarship for Study Abroad, Ministry of Education, Taiwan (ROC)
Department of International Health Tuition Scholarship