The Impact of PROJECT NOURISH on the Nutritional Status of Undernourished Children in Dr. Alfredo Pio de Roda Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the impact of "Project Nourish" on the nutritional status of undernourished pupils in Dr. Alfredo Pio De Roda Elementary School in Calumpang, Cerca, Indang, Cavite. The word "NOURISH" in this project had significant meaning referring to "NO UndeRweight In ScHool" which represents the ultimate goal of the project.

METHODS

This project was carried out with 27 selected undernourished children following a quasi-experimental design with subject consisting of 23 wasted and four (4) severely wasted pupils identified through their body mass index (BMI) scores. The intervention was a three-month feeding program comprising of free lunch every 12:00 noon and a free glass of milk during recess, which was offered to selected undernourished pupils daily, five times a week for a period of three months. The data that were collected were pre and post BMI scores of the participants which assessed the nutritional status of pupils before and after the Project Nourish intervention. T-test was applied to determine if there is a significant difference between the pre-and post-BMI scores that gauged the pupils' nutritional status before and after the feeding program.

RESULTS

T-test statistics revealed significant difference in the BMI scores of the selected pupils before and after the Project Nourish intervention. Prior to the intervention, there were 23 wasted and 4 wasted pupils identified. After the implementation of the Project Nourish, 26 pupils had normal BMIs and only two (2) pupils had wasted nutritional status.

DISCUSSIONS

The findings showed that the 27 undernourished pupils who participated in the project had significant improvement in their nutritional status. Thus, the three-month implementation of "Project Nourish" positively enhances the nutritional status of undernourished pupils of Dr. Alfredo Pio De Roda Elementary School. It is therefore recommended that the "Project Nourish" be continuously implemented and become a significant part of the school's development plan not only to lessen the number of undernourished children in school but to ultimately promote successful health and academic outcomes of young children.