Complement meals with veggies to help combat 'triple burden' of malnutrition: nutrition experts
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Complement meals with veggies to help combat 'triple burden' of malnutrition: nutrition experts
A vegetable vendor puts the current price of the produce on the plastic covers at the Kamuning Market in Quezon City on January 5, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Philippines continues to combat the "perennial problem" of malnutrition, which comes with undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition, nutrition experts said Wednesday.
MANILA -- The Philippines continues to combat the "perennial problem" of malnutrition, which comes with undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition, nutrition experts said Wednesday.
This is the "triple burden of malnutrition", said Milflor Gonzales, chief science research specialist of the Technology Diffusion and S&T Services Division (TDSTSD) of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
This is the "triple burden of malnutrition", said Milflor Gonzales, chief science research specialist of the Technology Diffusion and S&T Services Division (TDSTSD) of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
Undernutrition is connected to stunting and wasting and overnutrition results in overweight and obesity.
Undernutrition is connected to stunting and wasting and overnutrition results in overweight and obesity.
But micronutrient deficiencies or "hidden hunger" should also be guarded against.
But micronutrient deficiencies or "hidden hunger" should also be guarded against.
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"Ito iyong mga maliliit lamang ang kailangang makuha ng katawan natin pero malaki ang magiging repercussion kung hindi tayo tama ang nutrisyon," Gonzales said in an interview at the sidelines of the DOST-FNRI Seminar Series to mark the agency's 50th year.
"Ito iyong mga maliliit lamang ang kailangang makuha ng katawan natin pero malaki ang magiging repercussion kung hindi tayo tama ang nutrisyon," Gonzales said in an interview at the sidelines of the DOST-FNRI Seminar Series to mark the agency's 50th year.
(These are nutrients that our bodies only need in small amounts, but the repercussions are significant if our nutrition is not adequate.)
(These are nutrients that our bodies only need in small amounts, but the repercussions are significant if our nutrition is not adequate.)
"Iyong tinatawag nating tagong gutom - hidden hunger - kasi micronutrient deficiencies. 'Pag ikaw ay may iron deficiency - anemia - hindi kaagad nagma-manifest iyon. Iyong akala mo maputi ka, iyon pala namumutla ka na. Iyong lululugo-lugo. So iyong school performance ng bata naaapektuhan. So isa iyon sa hidden hunger," she added.
"Iyong tinatawag nating tagong gutom - hidden hunger - kasi micronutrient deficiencies. 'Pag ikaw ay may iron deficiency - anemia - hindi kaagad nagma-manifest iyon. Iyong akala mo maputi ka, iyon pala namumutla ka na. Iyong lululugo-lugo. So iyong school performance ng bata naaapektuhan. So isa iyon sa hidden hunger," she added.
(What we call hidden hunger - micronutrient deficiencies - is when you have iron deficiency, for example, anemia, which doesn't manifest immediately. You might think you're just fair-skinned, but actually, you're pale. You feel weak and listless. So, a child's school performance is affected. That is one form of hidden hunger.)
(What we call hidden hunger - micronutrient deficiencies - is when you have iron deficiency, for example, anemia, which doesn't manifest immediately. You might think you're just fair-skinned, but actually, you're pale. You feel weak and listless. So, a child's school performance is affected. That is one form of hidden hunger.)
Iodine deficiency can manifest in goiter, while Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness, she said.
Iodine deficiency can manifest in goiter, while Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness, she said.
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For the DOST-FNRI, a simple recommendation to resolve malnutrition is eating a "Pinggang Pinoy" or a balanced diet, composed of adequate sources of carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients.
For the DOST-FNRI, a simple recommendation to resolve malnutrition is eating a "Pinggang Pinoy" or a balanced diet, composed of adequate sources of carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients.
Families are also enjoined to actively educate themselves on nutrition, through the help of concerned agencies and stakeholders.
Families are also enjoined to actively educate themselves on nutrition, through the help of concerned agencies and stakeholders.
It would also be helpful if every meal will be complemented with vegetables, said Charmaine Duante from the DOST-FNRI's Nutritional Assessment and Monitoring Division.
It would also be helpful if every meal will be complemented with vegetables, said Charmaine Duante from the DOST-FNRI's Nutritional Assessment and Monitoring Division.
Duante shared they are conducting the 2023 to 2024 National Nutrition Survey, whose results are expected to be released in December.
Duante shared they are conducting the 2023 to 2024 National Nutrition Survey, whose results are expected to be released in December.
"We know that stunting is still prevalent with our population, emerging nutrition problems like obesity, and also other NCDs (non-communicable diseases) risk factors to NCDs like prevalence of elevated blood sugar, also elevated blood pressure," she told reporters.
"We know that stunting is still prevalent with our population, emerging nutrition problems like obesity, and also other NCDs (non-communicable diseases) risk factors to NCDs like prevalence of elevated blood sugar, also elevated blood pressure," she told reporters.
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"Malnutrition is still prevalent in almost all ages... Makikita po natin sa (We can see that in the) trends... na meron talagang tumaas na mga rates (that some rates really increased). For example, ang overweight and obesity continuously tumataas (rise)," she added.
"Malnutrition is still prevalent in almost all ages... Makikita po natin sa (We can see that in the) trends... na meron talagang tumaas na mga rates (that some rates really increased). For example, ang overweight and obesity continuously tumataas (rise)," she added.
Several factors affect these trends of malnutrition, such as age and socio-economic status, Gonzales said.
Several factors affect these trends of malnutrition, such as age and socio-economic status, Gonzales said.
"Because ang problem na ito ay hindi lamang sa pagkain...May mga problema na habang tumataas ang edad ng mga tao ay tumataas din po ang dami ng nagkakaroon ng mga ganoong problem. It's because we cannot control age. Ang maco-control lang po natin ay some environmental factors. For example, iyong ating socio-economic condition. Ang poverty ay talagang hindi na natin masosolusyunan nag isang departamento lang. Iyon ay mga collaborative efforts po ng departamento ng buong gobyerno natin," she said.
"Because ang problem na ito ay hindi lamang sa pagkain...May mga problema na habang tumataas ang edad ng mga tao ay tumataas din po ang dami ng nagkakaroon ng mga ganoong problem. It's because we cannot control age. Ang maco-control lang po natin ay some environmental factors. For example, iyong ating socio-economic condition. Ang poverty ay talagang hindi na natin masosolusyunan nag isang departamento lang. Iyon ay mga collaborative efforts po ng departamento ng buong gobyerno natin," she said.
(Because this problem is not just about food...There are issues that, as people age, the number of those experiencing such problems also increases. It's because we cannot control age. What we can control are some environmental factors. For example, our socio-economic condition. Poverty cannot be solved by just one department alone. It requires collaborative efforts from all departments of our entire government.)
(Because this problem is not just about food...There are issues that, as people age, the number of those experiencing such problems also increases. It's because we cannot control age. What we can control are some environmental factors. For example, our socio-economic condition. Poverty cannot be solved by just one department alone. It requires collaborative efforts from all departments of our entire government.)
"Iyong risk factors na nakikita natin habang tumatanda ang ating population. For example, iyong smoking. Isang importanteng factor, behavioral kasi iyan. Minsan hindi talaga natitigilan. Alcohol consumption. And also food. May mga pagkain na mas marami tayong nakakain over doon sa ibang pagkain," she added.
"Iyong risk factors na nakikita natin habang tumatanda ang ating population. For example, iyong smoking. Isang importanteng factor, behavioral kasi iyan. Minsan hindi talaga natitigilan. Alcohol consumption. And also food. May mga pagkain na mas marami tayong nakakain over doon sa ibang pagkain," she added.
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(The risk factors we observe as our population ages include behaviors such as smoking, which is an important factor because it is behavioral and often hard to quit. Alcohol consumption is another factor. Additionally, food plays a role, as there are certain food that we tend to consume more of compared to others.)
(The risk factors we observe as our population ages include behaviors such as smoking, which is an important factor because it is behavioral and often hard to quit. Alcohol consumption is another factor. Additionally, food plays a role, as there are certain food that we tend to consume more of compared to others.)
Data from DOST-FNRI's 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey show 16.8 percent of children aged 0 to 59 months old are underweight, while 3.9 percent are overweight.
Data from DOST-FNRI's 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey show 16.8 percent of children aged 0 to 59 months old are underweight, while 3.9 percent are overweight.
School-age children - aged 5 to 10 years old - are 20.8 percent underweight and 14.1 percent overweight.
School-age children - aged 5 to 10 years old - are 20.8 percent underweight and 14.1 percent overweight.
Adolescents or those over 10 years old to 19 years old are 13 percent overweight, while 22.3 percent are stunted and 10.9 percent are wasted, which are both considered undernutrition.
Adolescents or those over 10 years old to 19 years old are 13 percent overweight, while 22.3 percent are stunted and 10.9 percent are wasted, which are both considered undernutrition.
Meantime, 30.2 percent of Filipino adults aged 20 to 59 are overweight, while 7.2 percent of them have chronic energy deficiency.
Meantime, 30.2 percent of Filipino adults aged 20 to 59 are overweight, while 7.2 percent of them have chronic energy deficiency.
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WHAT CAN BE DONE
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also acknowledged the Philippines' problem on malnutrition.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also acknowledged the Philippines' problem on malnutrition.
"Stunting affects 26 percent of children below 5 years, and can result in poor cognition and educational performance, and negatively affect outcomes later in life such as low wages and lost productivity. There has also been a rapid increase in childhood overweight and obesity since 2003. The number of overweight and obese children has almost tripled and is now classified as 'high' according to global standards," it said in a press release.
"Stunting affects 26 percent of children below 5 years, and can result in poor cognition and educational performance, and negatively affect outcomes later in life such as low wages and lost productivity. There has also been a rapid increase in childhood overweight and obesity since 2003. The number of overweight and obese children has almost tripled and is now classified as 'high' according to global standards," it said in a press release.
"Micronutrient deficiencies such as the lack of iron, iodine and vitamin A affect pregnant and lactating women, and children. Parents and families are struggling to provide nutritious and diverse foods that young children need to reach their full potential. According to a UNICEF study, the Philippines is one of the countries that account for 65 percent of the total number of children living in severe child food poverty or children consuming only two of eight defined food groups," it added.
"Micronutrient deficiencies such as the lack of iron, iodine and vitamin A affect pregnant and lactating women, and children. Parents and families are struggling to provide nutritious and diverse foods that young children need to reach their full potential. According to a UNICEF study, the Philippines is one of the countries that account for 65 percent of the total number of children living in severe child food poverty or children consuming only two of eight defined food groups," it added.
Based on UNICEF's global report Child Food Poverty, "consumption of unhealthy products was particularly high" in the Philippines, among other countries, which means "more than one in five children consumed an unhealthy food and/or sweet beverage – despite these children consuming two or fewer food groups per day".
Based on UNICEF's global report Child Food Poverty, "consumption of unhealthy products was particularly high" in the Philippines, among other countries, which means "more than one in five children consumed an unhealthy food and/or sweet beverage – despite these children consuming two or fewer food groups per day".
"These unhealthy foods and sweet beverages are potentially displacing more nutritious foods from the diets of these young children," the report added.
"These unhealthy foods and sweet beverages are potentially displacing more nutritious foods from the diets of these young children," the report added.
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The agency is calling on concerned agencies to address the issue.
The agency is calling on concerned agencies to address the issue.
"Local government units which are responsible for delivery of nutrition services at the local level, are expected to have local nutrition action plans that are aligned with the PPAN (Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028). LGU investment in nutrition needs to include interventions in the critical first 1,000 days that must reach at least 90 percent of target pregnant women and children 0-23 months old. These need to be complemented with interventions to halt the rise in obesity including policies on reducing marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children, promoting physical activity by transforming the built environment and improving access to nutrition services," UNICEF said.
"Local government units which are responsible for delivery of nutrition services at the local level, are expected to have local nutrition action plans that are aligned with the PPAN (Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028). LGU investment in nutrition needs to include interventions in the critical first 1,000 days that must reach at least 90 percent of target pregnant women and children 0-23 months old. These need to be complemented with interventions to halt the rise in obesity including policies on reducing marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children, promoting physical activity by transforming the built environment and improving access to nutrition services," UNICEF said.
Meantime, Atty. Lucieden Raz, Deputy Director/Director III and OIC of DOST-FNRI's Office of the Director said getting the right nutrition is a "basic right".
Meantime, Atty. Lucieden Raz, Deputy Director/Director III and OIC of DOST-FNRI's Office of the Director said getting the right nutrition is a "basic right".
"It's actually a human right to be healthy, to have nutrition adequacy, for everyone's right to live and be healthy," she explained.
"It's actually a human right to be healthy, to have nutrition adequacy, for everyone's right to live and be healthy," she explained.
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nutrition
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