Persistent hunger affects 3 in 10 Filipino households — DOST-FNRI

Three in ten Filipino households still experience moderate to severe involuntary hunger, while cases of underweight and wasting among school-age children have slightly increased, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) last Tuesday, July 8.

“It is alarming that three in ten Filipino households still experience moderate to severe food insecurity,” said Renato U. Solidum Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), during the 51st DOST-FNRI Seminar Series.

Mr. Solidum’s statement was based on the findings of the agency’s 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS), first released in December. The report revealed that 31.4% of Filipino households still suffered from moderate to severe food insecurity—slightly lower than the 33.4% recorded in 2021.

He also cited the 2024 Global Hunger Index, which further reflects the country’s ongoing hunger problem. The report showed that the Philippines ranked 67th out 127 countries, indicating that the country still faces a moderate level of hunger.

“This persistent challenge significantly increases the risk of malnutrition, especially among vulnerable groups such as infants, young children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and the sick,” Mr. Solidum said.

The DOST secretary added that the situation becomes even more critical during disasters and emergencies, as affected families are forced to rely on food rations that often fall short of meeting their nutritional needs.

The cases of underweight Filipino school-age children (5 to 10 years old) — those whose weight falls below the standard for their age — rose to 21.3% in 2023 from 20.8% in 2021, according to the NNS report.

Cases of wasting, or children who are too thin for their height, also inched up to 8.4% in 2023 from 6.9% in 2021.

In contrast, stunting — low height for age — declined to a two-decade low of 17.9% from 19.7%.

For adults, the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency is at 8.5% in 2023, sightly up from the 8.1% in 2021.

Mr. Solidum said that the DOST-FNRI is responding to the country’s ongoing problems of hunger and undernourishment by developing technologies that aim to better nourish Filipinos and vulnerable communities, while also empowering entrepreneurs.

The agency has also been developing a wide range of fortified and functional food products packed with essential nutrients, such as nutritious ready-to-eat (RTE) meals.

“Strengthening partnerships across government, academia, private institutions, and communities is vital to transforming our food systems and achieving lasting, inclusive progress,” Mr. Solidum said. - Edg Adrian A. Eva