Work

Determinants of the Youth’s Nutritional Status in Selected Areas in the Philippines and Opportunities for Program Development and Engagement

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The Filipino youth, 15–24 yr old, are at a critical period characterized by a shift from adolescence to adulthood. While the youth make up about one-fifth of the population, they are often not a priority in program development such as in food, health, and nutrition. This study looked into the socio-demographic profile and nutritional status of youth and food security status of their households in six areas in the Philippines. It also determined the factors affecting the nutritional status of youth such as sex, educational status, occupation, wealth, and household food security status. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression were employed in the analysis using STATA Version 16. Results showed that about 15% of youth in the study had low body mass index (BMI), while 10% had high BMI. The majority (70%) belonged to food-insecure households. Among working youth, the most common types of employment were service work, farming, forestry and fishery work, and laborer and unskilled work. Being poor and belonging to a food-insecure household increase the likelihood of being undernourished by 0.23 and 0.17 times, respectively. Belonging to rich households and food secure status significantly increases the likelihood of being overnourished by 0.58 and 0.34 times. Having no grade completed (2.66) or attained elementary level (1.06), being a working student (0.44), belonging to a poor household (0.95), and having food-insecure status (0.07) significantly increases the likelihood of becoming stunted. Improvement of nutritional status through various youth programs and food systems engagement during adolescence and early adulthood can be considered the second window of opportunity for intervention to address the inter-generational cycle of poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

Source: The Philippine journal of science

DOI: 10.56899/151.01.32

Authors: Charina Javier, Cristina Malabad, Ma. Lynell Maniego, Cheder Sumangue, Charmaine Duante

Institutions: Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being, No poverty, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4296280980