PROMOTING NUTRITIONAL AWARENESS AND HEALTHY EATING HABITS OF

CHILDREN BELOW 5 YEARS OLD : A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH IN

PASTRANA, LEYTE

A Research Proposal
Presented To

The Faculty of the

University of the Philippines-Manila
School of Health Sciences
Palo, Leyte

HONEYCHILE ROSE B. HABBILING

GWENDAREIGN A. ELIZAN

October, 2024
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM: ITS RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND

I. INTRODUCTION

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining good health and preventing diseases.
However, in many communities, poor dietary habits and limited access to
nutritious food contribute to health problems such as obesity, malnutrition,
diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This capstone project will focus on
understanding the nutritional challenges faced by Pastrana Leyte and developing
strategies to promote healthier eating habits through education and community
engagement. The project will provide insights into the effectiveness of
community-based interventions in improving nutritional awareness and
promoting healthier eating behaviors. The findings will be valuable for future
public health initiatives aimed at enhancing nutrition and reducing diet-related
health issues.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite growing awareness of the importance of nutrition, unhealthy eating patterns

persist in [target community]. Factors such as lack of access to fresh food, insufficient
knowledge of balanced diets, and socio-economic barriers are contributing to poor
nutrition. This project will assess these factors and implement a nutrition education
program aimed at improving dietary habits in the community.
Specifically, this research seeks to address the following key questions:

1. What are the key nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy eating habits in [target
community]?
2. What socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors influence food choices
in the community?
3. How effective is nutrition education in promoting healthier eating behavior?
4. What strategies can be used to increase access to nutritious food in the
community?

III. HYPOTHESIS

IV. MAIN OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the Nutritional Awareness

and Healthy Eating Habits of children below 5 years old in Pastrana, Leyte
V. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

 To assess the current nutritional knowledge and dietary habits of children

below 5 years old.

 To identify barriers to healthy eating, including cultural, economic, and

environmental factors.

 To develop and implement a community-based nutrition education program

tailored to the specific needs of children below 5 years old in Pastrana

Leyte.

 To evaluate the effectiveness of the nutrition education program in

improving dietary choices and health outcomes.

VI. EXPECTED FINDINGS

 A detailed understanding of the nutritional knowledge and dietary

habits of the target community.

 Identification of key barriers to healthy eating, such as cost, access

to fresh produce, and cultural food preferences.

 Increased awareness of the importance of proper nutrition and

healthier eating habits among participants.

 Measurable improvements in dietary behaviors following the

implementation of the nutrition education program.

 Recommendations for policy changes or community initiatives to

increase access to nutritious food.

VII. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study will focus on determining the impact of the Pantawid Pamilyang

Pilipino Program (4Ps) on the nutritional status of children beneficiaries. This will also

include assessing the changes in household food security among beneficiary families

and identifying the barriers to achieving improved nutritional outcomes within the 4Ps

framework.

Since the researcher will assess the insights of the parents/guardians, the self-

reporting nature of the study may result in a recall bias and under/over reporting of the

challenges in achieving the nutritional goals of the children beneficiaries.

VIII. DEFINITION OF TERMS

For better understanding of the different terms used in this study, it is defined

conceptually and operationally:

Nutritional Status refers to an individual’s health condition as it is influenced by intake

and utilization of nutrients. The same definition is used in the study.

Children Beneficiaries will be defined in the study as children aged 6 months to 5

years old who are qualified 4Ps recipients

 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

RELATED LITERATURES

The family development sessions seem to have played a major role in empowering caregivers,

particularly female caregivers. By providing caregivers with knowledge on a range of topics they felt

empowered and better equipped to handle their children in different situations – some of which might

cause stress for them – and overall learned to be more confident in their interactions with children and

other household and community members. In bringing together caregivers from different households to

learn and discuss together, the FDS have also played a vital role in creating a feeling of community

among caregivers. By addressing caregiver stress, empowering them and overall enhancing their well-

being, the FDS thus, at least partially, addressed underlying causes of malnutrition resulting from

inadequate care practices.

RELATED STUDIES

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

I. RESEARCH DESIGN

A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including surveys, focus

groups, and a nutrition intervention program.

II. SAMPLING SCHEME

  Random sampling for surveys and purposive sampling for focus

groups.

III. STUDY POPULATION

 The study will involve children aged 6 months to 5 years old from households

that are beneficiaries of 4Ps.

 In-depth interviews will be conducted to 4Ps parents/guardians.

IV. SETTING OF THE STUDY

The study will be conducted in the municipality of Pastrana, Leyte.

V. TOOLS AND INSTRUMENT

 Nutritional Assessment: Anthropometric measures (weight, height, and body

mass index) will be taken for children to assess their nutritional status. These will

be compared to WHO growth standards.

 Surveys and Questionnaires: Surveys will be conducted with parents to gather

information on household food consumption, dietary diversity, and food security.

 Interviews: In-depth interviews with parents and local health workers will provide

insights into barriers and facilitators of improved nutrition for 4Ps children.

 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): FGDs will be held with community leaders

and 4Ps beneficiaries to understand local perceptions of the program’s impact on

child nutrition.

VI. DATA GATHERING PROCESS

 Informed consent will be obtained from all participants immediately before data

collection. Data collector will provide each participant with an information sheet and

consent form, read the forms aloud to the participant, receive written consent to

participate, and provide the participant with an unsigned copy of the consent form. In-

depth interviews will take place in a private area in or nearby the home.

VII. STATISTICAL TREATMENT

 Quantitative Analysis: Statistical tools such as multiple regression analysis will be

used to examine the relationship between 4Ps participation and changes in child

nutritional status. A survey to assess nutritional knowledge, dietary

habits, and food access.

 Qualitative Analysis: Thematic analysis will be used to identify common

barriers and attitudes toward nutritionfrom interviews and FGDs related

to food access, parental knowledge of nutrition, and program challenges. Focus

group discussions to explore the community’s perspectives on

healthy eating and the challenges they face

 Intervention: A nutrition education program that includes

workshops, cooking demonstrations, and distribution of

educational materials (e.g., guides on balanced diets, meal

planning

VIII. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

 To ensure that no bioethical violations are committed in this study, the researcher

will ensure voluntary participation of the respondents, and for the respondents to

participate based on informed consent.

All data collected will be kept confidential, and participants will be assigned

unique identification numbers to anonymize their responses. The research will be

designed to ensure no harm or discomfort comes to the participants, particularly the

children.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). “Healthy Diet: A Key to Preventing Disease.”

Smith, J., & Wilson, A. (2020). “Community-Based Approaches to Improving Nutrition.”

Public Health Review, 40(4), 200-215.