Sustaining proper nutrition, a constant advocacy

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves taking care of your body, and a good way to achieve this is by eating well to provide the necessary nutrients. However, the world is full of people still struggling with nutritional issues.

Globally, food insecurity remains a threat to human lifestyle. Many are suffering driving conflict to healthcare, environment, and the economy. In the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) recent report, about 181 million of children globally are experiencing food poverty, which puts them at a 50% higher risk of suffering from malnutrition.

Among the countries, the Philippines is identified as one of the most food-insecure countries, accounting to 65% of children living in severe food poverty globally, with two million (18% of the population) children suffering from access to adequate food and nutrition.

According to the report, most children’s source of food mainly relies on breastfeeding and starchy foods like rice, wheat and corn. Most of them consume only two out of eight food groups, with less than 10% eating fruits and vegetables and less than 5% consuming nutrient-based foods.

Food insecurity poverty stems from more than the lack of affordable healthy foods —it is also worsened by inefficient food systems, unhealthy food consumption, and difficulty of forming good eating habits, the report noted. This made it more challenging for Filipinos to access proper nutrition and maintain good health.

“Nearly half (46%) of all cases of severe child food poverty are among poor households where income poverty is likely to be a major driver, while 54% — or 97 million children — live in relatively wealthier households, among whom poor food environments and feeding practices are the main drivers of food poverty in early childhood,” the report read.

Putting an end to food insecurity is a nationwide approach, and UNICEF urges different sectors to act upon it, beginning with improving food and health systems that caters to the nutrition needs of Filipinos. Not only should food systems become more affordable and accessible, but it should also be more diverse, nutritious, and healthier.

Meanwhile, for better health systems, the organization emphasized the need for educating families on better primary care practices, as well as increased support for community health and nutrition workers

“Children living in severe food poverty are children living on the brink. This can have an irreversible negative impact on their survival, growth, and brain development. Children who consume just rice and some vegetable soup a day are up to 50% more likely to experience severe forms of malnutrition,” Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, UNICEF Representative to the Philippines, said in a statement.

“Every child has the right to proper nutrition. When children are well-nourished, they can better learn, play, and engage in their communities, while also being more resilient in the face of illness and crises. Good nutrition is a fundamental driver of development and is essential for nation-building,” he said in another statement.

Nutritional programs in the Philippines

In response, much attention has been placed to transform and improve the overall health of Filipinos. Through the Philippine Plan Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028, it is working towards making healthy and nutrient-rich foods more affordable and accessible, as well as fight all forms of malnutrition and improve food and health systems.

More importantly, the PPAN 2023-2028 is incorporating strategies that promote healthier diets, better eating practices, and access to quality services, focusing on food security and emphasizing the importance of improving nutrition behaviors among Filipinos.

“By placing nutrition at the forefront of our national agenda, we can ensure that it receives the attention and resources it deserves for comprehensive and sustainable improvements in nutrition outcomes,” Azucena M. Dayanghirang, executive director of the country’s National Nutrition Council (NNC), said in another statement.

Recognizing the significance of schools in fostering physical and mental health, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have joined forces in implementing feeding programs in schools. This year, the department launched a school-based milk feeding program in Quezon City. The campaign, named “Lakas sa Gatas,” aims to promote milk consumption among students and to support local dairy farmers.

With mothers and caregivers as key agents of children’s nutrition, the local government unit of Arteche in Eastern Samar launched the Sustainable Nutrition and Nanay Empowerment (Project Susan), an initiative that provide livelihood support for mothers and children. Project Susan is a 36-month program that offers relief distribution, health checkups, feeding programs for babies, and promotes nutrition awareness and healthy eating practices. This project strives to empower mothers and caregivers, cultivating a culture of good health and nutrition in households.

Meanwhile, spearheading on improving nutrition among the elderly, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) introduced the “Healthy Aging Program for PinoY (HAPPY) Senior Citizens, dedicated to developing food products tailored to the nutritional needs of Filipino elders. More specifically, the program will offer food products made from mature green tomatoes (MGTs), packed with Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that helps in relaxation and benefits the immune and nervous systems.

On its 50^th year this 2024, the Nutrition Month, with the NNC taking the lead in its observance, celebrates nutrition awareness and continuously improving nutrition with the theme: “Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat.”

This year’s Nutrition Month Campaign seeks to raise awareness on healthy diets, ensuring all Filipinos has access to nutritious, safe, and sustainable food. Some of the initiatives developed by PPAN include covering nutrition interventions for all ages and educating families and communities on proper nutrition.

“As we celebrate the 50th Nutrition Month, we call on all sectors of society to support the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition come alive in each and every barangay. We encourage local chief executives, and other partners to implement local nutrition action plans that reflect this vision. In this Nutrition Month, we are addressing the low awareness of the PPAN. NNC’s survey showed that about 40% of respondents were aware of the PPAN,” Ms. Dayanghirang said in a statement. — Angela Kiara S. Brillantes