Health advocates raise red flag on stunted, underweight children

By CNN Philippines Staff, Sep 5, 2018

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Global and local studies are raising the red flag on malnutrition among Filipino children.

In the 2015 Updating of the Nutritional Status of Filipinos by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology, one in every three Filipino children below 5 years old is affected by stunted growth or a lack of height for their age. The study also showed that one in three children was underweight for his or her age.

During the period covered, the prevalence of underweight children in this age group increased from 29.1 to 31.2 percent or one of three children. The stunting prevalence increased from 29.9 percent to 31.1 percent or one of three children.

FNRI said that the regions with the highest number of underweight children aged 5 to 10 years old were MIMAROPA (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Western Visayas, and Bicol Region — areas often hit by typhoons.

Meanwhile, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the Zamboanga Peninsula were among top regions with the highest number of stunted children.

The prevalence of the issue has not gone unnoticed by the government. In a privilege speech delivered by Senator Loren Legarda last week, she impressed on the Senate how, “Beyond our moral obligation and humanitarian imperatives, the high economic cost of not doing anything to lift the burdens of undernutrition in the Philippines should compel and drive urgent action.”

According to the FNRI, stunting has irreversible effects on a child’s mental and physical development when he or she reaches the age of two. Despite this, proper nutrition should still be observed all throughout a child’s growth to ensure proper development.

The FNRI reminded parents that as a rule of thumb, children past the breastfeeding age should always have the following nutrients on their plate and in their beverages:

– Vitamin D for normal calcium absorption;

– Calcium for healthy bones and teeth;

– Protein for muscle growth and development; and,

– Iron for efficient production of red blood cells.

To get more information on which food contribute to an overall healthy diet for children, consult with a pediatrician or any health professional. Learn more about stunted growth and underweight by researching on reputable online resource sites like the FNRI and WHO.