NourishEd: A Program to

Alleviate Undernourished
Students of Dawa NHS

Maribao, Raquel P.,

Rocamora, Angelica N.
FY 2024
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NourishEd: A Program Alleviating Undernourished

Students of DAWA NHS

Raquel P. Maribao
Teacher- III
Dawa National High School
Department of Education, Division of Zamboanga del Sur
Email Address: raquel.maribao@deped.gov.ph
Cellphone number: 09752725984

Context and Rationale

Malnutrition is still an ongoing issue in the Philippines. In 2019, it was

discovered that 12.7 million school-age children were malnourished or stunted. One
intervention to address undernutrition in school-age children is the School-Based
Feeding Program (SBFP) "Philippines: School-Based Programs of the Department of
Education Program for Feeding" (2023). DepEd has been pushing for improvements to
the student’s dietary conditions. The SBFP stands out the most since it has been
generating favorable results and comments.

The guidelines on the DepEd Order number 54 series of 2013 shows the
execution of this initiative. SBF's main objective is to improve children's nutritional
status by making it easier for them to regularly consume extra nutrients, feeding in
the targeted 120 continuous feeding days. In addition, millions of students are able to
regularly attend school because of the active implementation of SBFP. One of the main
reasons this program has been encouraging students to attend class regularly is that
they will be provided with food while they are there.

Teachers have to be aware of the students Body Mass Index (BMI) in order to
establish a basis for who is eligible for the feeding program. The Belgian astronomer,
mathematician, statistician, and sociologist Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet
developed a basic mathematical formula in the 1830s that provides the basis for BMI.
The BMI is used in the work of personal trainers, physicians, demographic study
researchers, and other professionals. Finding out a student's Body Mass Index (BMI) is
a common method to evaluate their nutritional condition. BMI or body mass index, is
a straightforward measure of weight in relation to height that is frequently used to
classify people into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese weight
categories. It's crucial to adhere to these recommendations in order to guarantee
accuracy when determining student’s BMIs and evaluating their nutritional status.
Students' weights must be measured using precise weighing instruments, and scale
calibration must be done on a regular basis. In order to take an accurate height
measurement, one must use a stadiometer or other comparable tool. Students must
also stand straight and face front during the measurement. By dividing a person's
weight in kilograms (kg) by their height in meters (m) squared, one can determine if
they are a healthy weight (Romero-Coral et al., 2008).

According to Mateo (2018), over 532,000 in the Philippines are categorized as

severely wasted, and an additional 1.25 million students are classed as wasted, based
on the guidelines for the implementation of the school-based feeding program this
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year. Adequate nutrition is not only essential for academic performance but also plays
a pivotal role in the overall development of students.
In the Dawa National High School, situated in an economically challenged
community, the prevalence of undernourished students has emerged as a critical
concern. The school, reflective of the socioeconomic conditions of its locality, faces the
challenge of ensuring the well-being and nutritional health of its student population.
However, based on the baseline of Nutritional Status Assessment conducted during
the start of the School Year 2023-2024, results showed that among the 145 enrolled
students, 6 students or 4.26% belong to wasted and 3 students or 2.13% belong to
severely wasted. These results alarmed the teachers and the school personnel. The
evidence underscores the urgency of implementing a targeted intervention to address
undernourishment among students.
Thus, this action research aims to implement and assess the effectiveness of a
feeding program intervention named "NourishEd" in addressing undernourishment
among students in Dawa NHS by utilizing the products of The Gulayan sa Paaralan.

Action Research Questions

This action research will attempt to lessen the number of undernourished students
in Dawa NHS.
Specifically, this study will seek to answer the following questions:
1. What are the factors contributing to the undernourishment of the students?
2. What is the BMI result of the students before and after the NourishEd program?
3. Is there a significant difference between the BMI results before and after the
NourishEd Program?
4. What is the impact of NourishEd Program to the nutritional status of the
students?

Proposed Innovation, Intervention, and Strategy

NourishEd, is a comprehensive program designed to alleviate undernourishment

among students at Dawa NHS. It is a multifaceted initiative comprising nutritional
education, subsidized meal programs, and community engagement. By integrating
nutritional education into the school curriculum, students will acquire knowledge
about balanced diets, fostering sustainable habits that extend beyond the program's
duration.

Furthermore, NourishEd includes a subsidized meal program to ensure that every

student has access to nutritious meals during school hours specifically during lunch
time for 3 months, twice a week using the products harvested from the Gulayan sa
Paaralan. Additionally, the program emphasizes community engagement to create a
supportive environment that reinforces healthy eating habits at home.

The success of NourishEd will be measured through regular BMI monitoring, and
feedback from students. The program's sustainability will be facilitated through
partnerships with local stakeholders, seeking to create a lasting impact on the
nutritional well-being of students.

NourishEd may address the pressing issue of undernourished students at Dawa

NHS through a holistic and evidence-based approach. By combining nutritional
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education, subsidized meals, and community involvement, the program aims to break
the cycle of undernutrition, fostering a healthier and more academically successful
student population at Dawa NHS.

Action Research Methods

Research Design

The research design for this study utilizes a mixed-methods approach involving
both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative Methods to
measure outcomes such as nutritional status (BMI). Qualitative Methods to conduct
interviews or surveys to gather insights into participants' experiences and perceptions.

Participants and/or other Sources of Data and Information

The participants in this action research study will primarily consist of 9

undernourished students specifically those who belong to wasted and severely wasted
students enrolled in Dawa National High School. Additionally, the students will also
provide a comprehensive perspective on the effectiveness of the NourishEd program.
The participants are selected based on specific criteria related to their nutritional
status, specifically the Body Mass Index (BMI).

Research Instrument

The research instruments include, Survey Checklist to identify the factors

affecting the students BMI low results, Consolidated BMI Form to be a guide for the
baseline of the study before the intervention and the basis for the improvement BMI
status after the implementation of the program, and the interview questionnaires
which will be utilize in gathering information and perceptions from the students on the
impact of the NourishEd Program in their health.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data gathering procedure of this study will start with disseminating the
survey questionnaire to the respondents in order to identify the factors affecting
undernourishment among students. After that, the researchers will assess the BMI
results of the respondents after the intervention and will compare the post results with
the BMI before the intervention was conducted to see if there are changes in the BMI
of the students. Lastly, the researchers will conduct an interview to the respondents in
order to determine the impact of NourishEd towards the health of the respondents.

Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical tools specifically the

Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, while Criswell thematic analysis will be employed for
qualitative data.
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Action Research Work Plan and Timelines

Activities Target Date Persons Involved

PRE-IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
Conduct a needs September 2023 MAPEH Teachers
assessment on WINS Coordinator
undernourished students
Develop the NourishEd November 2023 Researchers, School Head,
program plan Teachers
Seek approval for the December 16, 2023 Researchers, School Head,
NourishEd program Public Schools District
Supervisor
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
Implement the NourishEd
program January-March 2024 Researchers, School Head,
Monitor program Teachers
implementation and
gather feedback
POST IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
Conduct a final evaluation
of the NourishEd program
Summarize findings and April 2024 Researchers, School Head,
prepare a final report Teachers
Disseminate findings
through a presentation

Cost Estimates

DELIVERABLES PARTICULARS COST ESTIMATES

Feeding Sessions Spices 3,000

Other Ingredients
Kitchen Equipment Laddle 1,000
Wok
Other kitchen utensils
Conduct of Meetings Travel allowance, snacks 300
and supplies
Printing of research Bond papers, inks 200
materials
TOTAL 4,500.00

Plans for Dissemination and Utilization

The NourishEd action research aims to address undernourishment among

students at Dawa National High School through a comprehensive program.
Dissemination of findings and utilization of the NourishEd program will follow a
strategic plan. Initial steps involve sharing research outcomes with school
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administrators, faculty, and relevant stakeholders through presentations and reports.

A workshop will be organized to train teachers on implementing NourishEd,
emphasizing its key components such as nutritional education, meal planning, and
monitoring. Collaboration with local community leaders will be pivotal for broader
dissemination, ensuring that the program aligns with community needs and
resources. Informational materials, including pamphlets and digital content, will be
distributed to parents and guardians, fostering their active participation. Continuous
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be established to gather feedback,
enabling iterative improvements. Through this dissemination and utilization plan, the
NourishEd program aims to create a sustainable and impactful initiative to alleviate
undernourishment among students.
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References

Romero‐Corral, Abel, Virend K. Somers, Justo Sierra‐Johnson, Randal J. Thomas,

Maria L. Collazo–Clavell, Josef Kořínek, Thomas G. Allison, John A. Batsis,
Fatima H. Sert Kuniyoshi, and Francisco López-Jiménez. 2008. “Accuracy of
Body Mass Index in Diagnosing Obesity in the Adult General Population.”
International Journal of Obesity 32 (6): 959–66.
https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.11.

Mateo, Janvic. n.d. “DepEd: 1.7 Million Students Undernourished.” Philstar.com.

Accessed February 15, 2024.
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/education-and-home/2018/04/12/1
805020/deped-17-million-students-undernourished.

“Philippines: Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program.” 2023. USDA

Foreign Agricultural Service. January 12, 2023.
https://fas.usda.gov/data/philippines-philippine-department-educations-
school-based-feeding-program.
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Appendix A

Research Proposal Application and Endorsement from the Immediate

Supervisor
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Appendix B

Declaration of Anti-Plagiarism and Absence of Conflict of Interest

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Appendix C
Self-Evaluation Tool for Action Research Proposal
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Appendix D

Research Instruments (survey questionnaire, etc.)

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Apppendix E

Informed Consent/Assent Form

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