Quick Facts
- Many school-aged children in the Philippines experience protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency, Iron deficiency anemia, and Iodine deficiency disorder.
- Protein-energy malnutrition contributes to stunted growth.
- Vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of blindness, muscle impairment, and infection susceptibility.
- Iron deficiency anemia leads to fatigue and developmental delays.
- Iodine deficiency impairs cognitive functions.
Childhood malnutrition remains a critical public health issue in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines.
A Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) study found that 64% of Filipino households consume monotonous diets. In 2019, 1,836,793 children from Kindergarten to Grade 6 were reported undernourished. For many Filipino children, this nutritional gap often manifests in dietary deficiencies such as protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), and Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD).
Protein-energy malnutrition often results from inadequate calories, protein, and fat intake. Research shows that malnutrition caused by low protein and fat intake can lead to difficulties in concentration and low academic performance. Only 27% of low-income households can afford protein-rich diets. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has the lowest protein intake, at 48g daily.
Protein-energy deficiency could potentially cause stunted growth. Recent studies indicate that 31% of Filipino children from low-income households aged 5 to 10 years are stunted, and 8% experience thinness. School-aged children experience 22% stunting due to malnutrition.
Consumption of highly protein-rich foods, such as meat, poultry, and grains, has been associated with lower risks of stunting. However, due to the changing global food environment, traditional Filipino meals are increasingly replaced by processed foods low in essential nutrients, including salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. According to research, the long-term consequence of high levels of protein-energy malnutrition is an increased childhood fatality rate due to dietary disorders such as Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.
Vitamin A deficiency is a common nutritional gap among Filipino school-aged children, with the highest prevalence in Western Mindanao. According to the World Health Organization, Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of childhood blindness. It impairs muscle function, increasing the risk of measles, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
Over 10% of children aged 6 to 12 years In the Philippines experience Vitamin A deficiency. Recent research findings suggest that one out of five children in the Philippines is at risk of vision issues and weak immune systems due to consuming little to no diet rich in Vitamin A. This dietary challenge is compounded by poverty and low socioeconomic status. Nearly 18% of Filipino families live below the poverty line. With limited income, many low-income households cannot afford a balanced diet, leading them to rely on inexpensive, high-calorie foods often low in essential nutrients, including vitamin A.
More severe than vitamin A deficiency is the high levels of iron deficiency anemia, which affects 57% of Filipino school-aged children. The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has the highest prevalence rate. This micro nutritional deficiency is often linked to a diet heavy in rice and low in iron-rich foods like leafy greens, legumes, and meat, as apparent in traditional Filipino diets. Studies indicate that children experiencing Iron Deficiency anemia are at risk for fatigue, poor growth, and developmental delays.
Iodine deficiency, another Filipino childhood nutritional gap, has been shown to impair cognitive function and, in severe cases, lead to developmental delays or intellectual disabilities. Central Luzon and ARMM stand out among the Philippine regions, with increased Iodine Deficiency rates specifically affecting children aged 6 to 12.
Childhood nutrition is one of the most critical factors in shaping a child’s physical and cognitive development. Research highlights that the human body needs nearly 50 vitamins and minerals. Not getting enough of even one of these nutrients can lead to fatigue, poor health, and an increased disease risk. Thrive provides children with nutritional support through free school lunches to reduce and prevent nutritional deficiencies among poorer communities.
