The National Nutrition Council in Central Visayas (NNC-7) announced on Sunday that the region’s malnutrition rate decreased in 2024, based on the results of the 2024 Operation Timbang (OPT) Plus.

In a statement, NNC-7 director Parolita Mission said the operation is an annual NNC activity that measures the nutritional status of children aged 0-59 months, or under five years old.

“One major factor we can attribute to the decline in our malnutrition statistics and all indicators — stunting, wasting, underweight and obesity — is likely the effectiveness of interventions implemented, especially with our partners in the local government units, in improving the situation,” said Mission.

Data shows a decrease in both the prevalence and magnitude of stunting, from 7.2 percent, or 47,842 children, in 2023 to 6.7 percent, or 38,080 children, in 2024.

Wasting decreased from 1.4 percent, or 9,473 children, in 2023 to 1.3 percent, or 7,118 children. The underweight rate fell from 3.2 percent, or 21,481 children, in 2023 to 3.0 percent, or 17,229 children.

The overweight rate also decreased, from 2.11 percent, or 13,970 children, in 2023 to 2.0 percent, or 11,491 children, in 2024.

Mission described the results as a “slow” but steady improvement in the nutritional status of children in the region, a key indicator of nutrition progress management.

The various forms of malnutrition include stunting, which indicates long-term malnutrition; wasting, which refers to acute malnutrition; overweight and obesity, assessed by comparing weight to height or length; and underweight, determined by comparing current weight to age-based standards.

The OPT Plus team, composed of rural health midwives, barangay nutrition scholars, barangay health workers, and other members of barangay nutrition committees, uses anthropometric measurements and indices to identify children’s nutritional status, adhering to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards.