ON FOOD fORTI - DOH Central Library - Department of Health
ON FOOD fORTI - DOH Central Library - Department of Health
ON FOOD fORTI - DOH Central Library - Department of Health
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8<br />
A Report. on Food Fortification<br />
Prevalence <strong>of</strong> clinical signs and symptoms <strong>of</strong> vitamin A deficiency' by<br />
age group and physiologic state, Philippines, 1993<br />
Age/Physiologic Total Nightblindness Bitot's Spot Comneal Corneal<br />
Sfate Number Ulceration Scar<br />
Examined<br />
6 mos.- 6 years 5,049 0.4 0.1 0.1<br />
7 - 14 years 4,578 1.3 0.1 0.1<br />
15 - 19 years 1,593 1.1 0.2 0.2<br />
.Pregnant 783 0.5 0.2 0.2<br />
Lactating 1,053 1.0 0 0.3 0.4<br />
TOTAL 13,056 0.8 0.1 n 0.1<br />
Source: Fourth National Nutrition Survey, Philippines, 1993, DOST-FNRl<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> and Helen Keller International<br />
indicate that the problem is severe in farflung<br />
rural and urban poor communities<br />
as xerophthalmia was observed in 1 - 4<br />
<strong>of</strong> every 100 pre-schoolers in these<br />
communities. These are indicative <strong>of</strong> a<br />
public health problem according to. the<br />
standards <strong>of</strong> the WHO.<br />
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)<br />
Iron is a mineral needed by the body<br />
and is necessary for the formation <strong>of</strong> red<br />
blood cells and is a carrier <strong>of</strong> oxygen<br />
from the lungs to body tissues.<br />
Iron deficiency anemia affects 28.9%<br />
<strong>of</strong> the population or about 19 million<br />
Filipinos. Most affected are infants, young.<br />
.children, pregnant and lactating women,<br />
women <strong>of</strong> child-bearing age, the early<br />
adolescents, and the elderly. The<br />
prevalence <strong>of</strong> IDA decreased to 37.2% in<br />
1987;yet its magnitude cannotbe ignored<br />
as millions continue to be affected. .<br />
Iodine Deficiency<br />
Iodine is a mineral component <strong>of</strong><br />
the thyroid hormones neededfor the brain<br />
and the nervous system to develop and<br />
- function normally. Iodine can be found<br />
in water and food from the sea such as<br />
fishes, shellfishes, and, seaweed, among<br />
others.<br />
Iodine. deficiency is. usually<br />
determined through the prevalence <strong>of</strong>