ABSTRACT

Bellen, Shariel Jushel S., Del Puerto, Mariel T., and Dedel Jr, Roger S. DIETARY HABITS OF WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE OF BARANGAY CULLAT, DARAGA, ALBAY (Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, Aquinas University of Legazpi, Rawis, Legazpi City, September 2015).

The descriptive method of research was utilized in this study as it presented the collected data using textual and tabular forms. The study used complete enumeration to collect the sample size. Women on reproductive age between 15-35 years old within the scope of the study were identified and taken in as respondents. The survey questionnaire was used as a tool to determine the dietary habits of women on reproductive age. Related literatures and studies were carefully studied to determine the similarities and differences of the past studies with the present study and to gain insight that could lead to a new aspect of the present study.

This study aimed to determine the dietary habits of women of reproductive age in Barangay Cullat, Daraga, Albay. Specifically, this sought to answers the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the women in reproductive ages in Cullat, Daraga, Albay along: a. age, b. civil status c. religion, d. educational attainment, e. monthly family income, and f. occupation.

2. What are the dietary practices of the women of reproductive ages along: a. food preference, and b. food preparation?

3. What are the factors that affect the dietary habits of the women of reproductive ages?

4. What measures can be offered to improve the dietary habits of the women of reproductive ages in Barangay Cullat, Daraga, Albay?

Based on the data collected, the following were the findings of the study:

1. For the demographic profile of the respondents: the study found that most of the women in Barangay Cullat, Draga, Albay were age 18-20 with highest frequency and age 24-26 has the lowest frequency; most respondents are single with high frequency and live-in relationship got the lowest frequency; respondents were Roman Catholics with highest frequency and Protestant and Baptist have the lowest frequency; the respondents were mostly in college level with the highest frequency and elementary undergraduate with the lowest frequency; on monthly income, the range is between 2,001-5,000 php and 5,001- 10,000 phph as the highest frequency and the lowest range is 10,000-above php; most of the women on reproductive age were housewives with the highest frequency and the lowest were either job order, DSWD employee, canteen lady, accounting staff, tutor, employee (Nestle Corp.), self-employed, cashier lady, pastoral secretary, free-lancer or business woman.
2. The dietary practices of respondents were ranked according to the weighted mean: food preferences, eating vegetables has the highest weighted mean and lowest weighted mean is drinking milk; food preparation, indicated that respondents washed their knives after cutting meat with the highest weighted mean and half cooking was the lowest weighted mean.
3. The factors affecting dietary habits of women on reproductive age were identified and ranked: Craving has the highest frequency and edema (manas) and sleepiness has the lowest frequency.
4. List of proposed measures to improve the dietary habits of women on reproductive age was cited:

4.1 Have a backyard planting or in barangay to have a source of health and organic food for pregnant women. This will help to have a source of food and income to the family.

4.2 Conduct seminar regarding the proper dietary habits of women on reproductive age. It will enhance the knowledge of respondents about the proper food intake.

4.3 Have a consultation with nutritionist every 3 months. Monitoring and knowing the proper food applicable.

4.4 Have a monthly monitoring of Body Mass Index.

4.5 Have cooking session. Cooking session can teach the respondents of the proper food preferences and proper preparation of nutritious meal.

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. Majority of women in Barangay Cullat, Daraga, Albay are still conscious of their diet. They tend to be knowledgeable about the proper diet intake. They are more influenced by the environment, especially those single women who have time to take care of their body and nutrition status. Body image tends to be their priority by eating nutritious food to attain good figure. Although when it comes to religion, sometimes it can influence their diet. Even though other religions prohibit some foods, individuals have their own decision. Their nutrition sometimes varies from their occupation due to stress, lack of time and food preferences, hence, they tend to eat processed food. Same with their income, their nutrition also varies whether it is enough to support their daily needs.

2. Respondents eat vegetables and know the benefits of these to their health. They are knowledgeable about the proper nutrition. They are also aware of how food should be prepared. They have idea what food that are nutritious and those that are not such us ready-made food can cause complications.
3. Women have idea of how they act towards food such as craving. They know that craving is part of signs and symptoms of pregnancy, which is often manifested. Edema (manas) can be caused by excess sodium Min take from the food they eat with which women are familiar. Sleepiness is also result of the food they eat. Women know that too much meal that is eaten can make a person sleepy.

4. Backyard gardening is seen to be the choice as a measure to improve the dietary habits. They know about the benefits to their health but can also be a source of income for their family. Having cooking session was rated the least choice which or not much need by the women because most of respondents are housewives. They have time to prepare food, however, still they advocate for the proper food choice and preparation.

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were formulated:
1. Improve the education of respondents through information about the program offered by TESDA and other vocational school.
2. Provide cooking sessions on how to prepare foods depending on their needs. In selecting a recipe they should choose those ingredients which are cheaper and could be found in the backyard such as malunggay, ampalaya, and other vegetables. Implement the proper washing of vegetables which is by washing every leaf before draining. The proper temperature for cooking vegetables should be taught because too much temperature of cooking vegetables will destroy the nutrients and vitamins. Women should be encouraged to drink milk or the alternative sources of calcium like dried fish or the anchovies or “dilis.”
3. The respondents should eat nutritious foods especially fruit and vegetables. Flyers will be distributed in the community regarding the nutritious food that can help the health of women on reproductive age.
4. Provide a livelihood program for women through backyard gardening in the community. They should raise animals such as chickens and goats that could be a source of cheaper milk and eggs.