FN 10

COMMUNITY STUDY
(Mid-term Report)
OBJECTIVES:
1. To describe various factors influencing the foodways of a particular community.
2. To identify the nutritional problems present in the community
3. To discuss the steps taken to address these nutritional problems
4. To use the community immersion experience for self-assessment and betterment
as a
person and a Filipino
PROCEDURE:
Select a low income community (a barangay or a provincial municipality) which
you are familiar with. It could be a place near your present residence or near where
you grew up or where you presently reside. Study the community by looking
through its history, geography, people, food system and nutrition problems and
programs. Make use of observations and interviews with key officials, informal
leaders and persons dealing with food (storeowners, market vendors, restaurant
owners and workers, peddlers etc.) as well as with consumers.
Follow the outline given below:
I. Background of the community
a. location (including how to get to the place)
b. topography
c. brief history of the place
II. The People
a. population
* size
* age structure
* general socio-economic status
* types of occupation
b. Health information
* common illnesses and causes of death
* nutritional status of children
* other health related data e.g. water supply
c. Local organization
* political structure
* leadership pattern

III. Foodways
a. Food patterns and beliefs
* e.g. regional differences e.g. fond of bagoong, coconut milk etc.
other beliefs related to food and nutrition
b. Food taboos (if any)
c. Other socio - cultural information related to food consumption
Food consumption patterns
- types of food available
- variations in food availability over a year
- Local food production information
sources of food - local production, market, groceries, peddlers, vendors
etc.
- availability of food supply
- is there seasonal variation in the food supply
IV. Family structures and nutrition
Usual practices of the families in terms of food selection, preparation,
service, storage
V. Nutritional Problems and Programs
a. Type and prevalence of nutritional problems
Who are malnourished
How many are malnourished
Where are they
What type of malnutrition exists? (is it protein-energy deficiency?
Micronutrient deficiency?
overnutrition? Other nutritional problems?
Why are they malnourished? ( Possible causes of the malnutrition problem)
b. Existing programs and services to address the problem
what are their activities to solve the problem
type of organization involved in these programs (government, nongovernment etc.)
from your perception, are the programs successful?
If yes, why do you say so?
If not, why are the programs not successful?
c. Role of the nutritionist
is there a nutritionist-dietitian involved in these programs
2

what are the roles of the nutritionist-dietitian in solving the nutritional

problems
try to interview the nutritionist-dietitian and find out what are the difficulties
that he/she faces

d. Other local organizations and groups which can be mobilized for improving
nutrition
what role do you think these organizations can they play
what programs do you think they organize
what facilities can they supply
VI. Conclusions (INDIVIDUAL Reflection)

How did the community study increase your understanding of the various
factors that influence the
nutritional
status of individuals, families and
communities?

What do you think are the threats and opportunities confronting the families
and communities that affect or enable their right to adequate food and
better nutrition?

While you were doing the community study (community immersion,

interviewing and writing the report), what are your insights and reflections
as
a. UP student
b. BSCN (or future BSCN) student

Did the community study increased and deepened your understanding of:
(Explain your answer)
a. Home economics as an academic discipline
b. Community nutrition as a profession

Given the findings of your study, how can you contribute to the solution of
the nutrition problems afflicting Filipino families and communities.

What are the lessons or realizations that you derived from the community
study

DUE: 19 March 2015 (less 5 points for every day late)

CLTBayaga and CKCCabigas

3

(2nd
semester 2014-2015)

------Activity adopted from MPQuerubin FN 10 syllabus 2 nd semester 2008-2009