The Impact of the School-Based Feeding Program on the Nutri-Status of Intermediate Pupils in Julian R. Felipe Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In the Philippines, about 6 to 8% of children under five are wasted and about 2% are severely wasted. These figures are comparable to those of Thailand. About a third of children under five in the Philippines have stunted growth, and a fifth are underweight. Just like across the world, in the Philippines, the share of children under five who have stunted growth and those underweight, have been decreasing. In this regard, such kind of action research is made possible.

METHODS

The researchers used the qualitative descriptive research design. The researcher used a survey to gather the necessary data. Respondents were interviewed about the menus served to them and their comments were presented using a pie graph.

RESULTS

Among grade five students, the 25 wasted feeding beneficiaries have been reduced to 7, but there is no improvement among severely wasted students. Among grade 6 students, the 22 severely wasted students have been reduced to 7 severely wasted feeding beneficiaries, while the 32 wasted kids are reduced to 17 feeding beneficiaries.

DISCUSSIONS

The respondents in Grade 5 were seven (7) severely wasted and twenty-five (25) wasted children. In Grade 6, there were twenty-two (22) severely wasted and thirty-two (32) wasted children as respondents. Due to time constraints, this study was limited to the effects of the school feeding program on the nutritional status of children belonging to the wasted and severely wasted intermediate pupils in particular. The baseline and end line results for the school year 2017-2018 were considered in relation to the weight of the intermediate pupils-respondents.