Malnutrition records also include stunting, which is the second highest prevalence in ASEAN and the country is 9th among the 14 countries with 80% of global burden. The study shows that 1 out of 3 Filipino children from 0-59 month are stunted.
Moreover, wasting or underweight is also part of the concern where the country is 10th among the countries with the highest burden of wasting globally. There are also a significant increase in obesity or overweight children in the country.
The report emphasizes the critical role of maternal nutrition in shaping the health outcomes of both mothers and their children especially in the first 1000 days of the children. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy not only puts the well-being of expectant mothers at risk but also increases the likelihood of complications, low birth weight, and stunted growth in infants.
Meanwhile, DOH-9, together with the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-9 encourages everyone especially with the observance of the National Nutrition Month to practice a healthy diet for their families, as "a healthy diet forms the foundation of overall well-being, providing essential nutrients and promoting optimal physical and mental health".
The nutrition report calls for collaborative efforts among governments, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities to drive meaningful change.
DOH-9 emphasized that it is crucial to involve community leaders, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots movements to ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and sustainable. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-ZamSulTa)
