MANILA, (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) is tackling the complex issue of malnutrition in the Philippines, which officials described as a “triple burden” on the sidelines of its recent 50th seminar series in Pasay City.
DOST-FNRI Director III Atty. Lucieden G. Raz explained the three aspects of this challenge: undernutrition, overnutrition, and hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency).
Undernutrition, encompassing wasting, underweight, stunting, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, weakens children’s immune systems, making them more susceptible to diseases.
Citing UNICEF data from April 2023, Raz highlighted the “tragic reality” that almost 95 Filipino children die from malnutrition daily, with 27 out of every 1,000 not reaching their fifth birthday.
Overnutrition, on the other hand, characterized by excess weight or body fat, is linked to a rise in heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Meanwhile, micronutrient deficiencies, also known as “hidden hunger,” refer to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the body. This invisible threat can have severe consequences for health.
For her part, Dr. Milflor S. Gonzales of DOST-FNRI acknowledged the complexity of the problem. “Malnutrition isn’t caused by a single factor,” she said.
“We need to consider the entire food system, from production to consumption,” she added.
This highlights the importance of research and development (R&D) efforts that address the entire food chain and environment.
The DOST-FNRI, however, is actively developing solutions. Atty. Raz emphasized technology transfer initiatives and the creation of tools and guidelines based on Filipinos’ nutritional needs. These include:
- Nutrition education materials for adolescents
- Workplace wellness promotion programs
- Philippine Food Composition Tables user guides
- Technical handbooks on food safety
- Medical nutrition therapy guidelines for kidney disease
- FNRI’s Local Support
The FNRI also provides support to local government units (LGUs) through the Food Security and Safety Program (FSS).
This program offers various resources:
- Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, such as “Pinggang Pinoy” (The Filipino Food Plate) and educational games
- Food and nutrition technologies
- Ideas for supplementing and complementing local diets and
- Support for food fortification and micronutrient supplementation programs. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
