Olongapo City - The City Government of Olongapo participated in this year's Nutrition Month Celebration, themed "First 1000 Days ni baby ay pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan" on July 4, 2016.

Nutritionist/Dietician Ruth V. Devillena, representative of the City Nutrition Committee, spoke about the celebration's theme which focuses on the first 1000 days of life starting from conception and before the second birthday of the child.

It is during this period when growth faltering happens. Many studies have shown a link between undernutrition, especially stunting, in the first years of life and over nutrition in the later years. Thus, the First 1000 Days has been called the "golden window of opportunity" for a comprehensive package of nutrition and related interventions to achieve significant changes in reduction in child stunting, underweight and wasting, at the same time contribute to complete child development.

The celebration aims to create awareness on the importance of proper infant and young child feeding practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and giving appropriate complementary food after six months while continuing breastfeeding. The celebration also promotes collaboration among various stakeholders both at the national and local levels for programs serving families with pregnant mothers and children less than 2 years old. The 2016 Nutrition Month celebration will also serve as a venue for the launching of the Early Childhood Care and Development Intervention Package (ECCD-IP) for the First 1000 Days.