The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) recently came up with guidelines on good practices on nutrition award that recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions of various stakeholders in addressing malnutrition problems and promoting good nutrition among their respective targets clientele.

Regional nutrition program Coordinator Rita D. Papey said tough the Best practice on Nutrition Award is essentially accorded to local government units. The guidelines include programs or activities of non-government organizations, national government agencies, and other private institutions with significant contributions in nutrition improvement.

Criteria for identifying best practices are uniqueness/originality/innovative in nature, relevance, effectiveness, completeness of supporting documents, efficiency, sustainability, and client or community involvement.

Entries for the search can be through self-nomination or nomination by other parties. After validation, the result will be presented to the RNC for approval.

There is no limit, to the number of winners as long as the entry meets the required score of 88 points.

Papey said malnutrition in the region remains a concern with the substantial number of undernourished preschool children in some areas and other vulnerable groups suffering from undernutrition.

She added undernutrition is aggravated by the increasing number of overweight and obese individuals across all age groups. Acknowledging the effect of malnutrition to the affected individuals and to the economy in a broader sense, some local government units and civil society groups favor programs to address malnutrition. – PIA-CAR Maria Aprila W. Cruz The Baguio Midland Courier