Effects of malnutrition to the reading proficiency of elementary learners

Malnutrition has been one of the serious matters that the world has been fighting back against, particularly in the Philippine Department of Education. The study aimed to resolve and create an effective intervention plan to put a stop to or at least lessen the rapid increase of malnutrition and transform the learners’ reading proficiency levels. The view of this study is further postulated on the principle that “no better learning takes place with an empty stomach”. The study was conducted at the Cadaruhan Elementary School- Cadaruhan, Borbon, Cebu with identified 27 undernourished learners together with their parents and teachers respectively. The statistical analysis of this study involved descriptive and inferential measures. The instruments used were a Research-Based Questionnaire, a Masterlist of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), and Oral Reading Verification Test Results. The chi-Square method was also used to determine the significant relationship between malnutrition and the reading proficiency of the learners. The study revealed that learners’ Body Mass Index (BMI) in the Baseline and Endline were improved with the help of the school’s feeding program. It also revealed that the identified learners showed a massive increase in their reading proficiency level in the 4th quarter. Thus, it concluded that malnutrition has a significant relationship with the reading proficiency level of the learners. As a result, the researcher highly recommends and suggests creating an intervention plan entitled, “Intervention Plan on Reading Proficiency of Undernourished Learners.”