ON FOOD fORTI - DOH Central Library - Department of Health

. A Report' on Food Fortification
Prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia by age group and physiologic state,
Philippines, 1987 and 1993
Age/Physiologic
State
1987 1993 1987 1993 Decrease
6 mos. - < Iy 240 400 70.4 49.2 (21.2)**
1-6y 2,895 4,514 38.7 26.7 (12.0)**
7·12y 1,533 2,135 41.2 30.8 .(1004)**
13-19 y, male 688 834 26.3 20.0 (6.3)**
13-19 y, female@ 672 737 36.9 23.9 (13.0)**
20-59 v. male 1,727 2,125 21.3 12.7 (8.6)**
20-59 y, female@ 1,632 1,691 38.9 24.0 (14.9)**
60 years and above 536 1,067 46.9 45.6 (1.3)ns
Pregnant 274 782 45.2 43.6 (1.6)ns
Lactating 522 1,043 50.6 43'{) (7.6)**
Total 10,719 . 15,328 37.2 28.9 (8.3)**
Source: Fourth National Nutrition Survey, Philippines, 1993, DOST-FNRl
@ excluding pregnant and lactating
highly significant
ns not significant
--
goiter or enlargement of the base of the
neck. -Based on the latest surveyof the
FNRI, 6,9% of the population 7 years and
.older have goiter but females are more
affected than males. Furthermore, the
1993 prevalence is double the observed
prevalence of 3.5% in 1987,
There are some areas in the country
where the deficiency is more severe; so
severe that even animals have goiter and
that among humans, having goiter is
considered "normal"and "beautiful";and
not having it as "abnormal" and "ugly"
CAUSES OF HIDDEN HUNGER
Like protein-energy malnutrition,
hidden hunger is caused by a web of
interrelated factors.
1. Poor dietary practices; i.e, low intake
of foods rich in vitamin A, iron and
iodine
2.. Infections like paeumonia, measles,
diarrhea increase both the need and
use of vitamin A and iron
.:rhese direct or immediate causes
of hidden hunger are linked to other
underlying causes which, among others,
include low income coupled with
relativelyhighprices of foods andservices;
agriculture, trade and infrastructure
policies which affect production,
marketing, and distribution of foods rich
in vitamins and minerals; and investment
policies and priorities which determine
the allocation of funds to services.
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