Health & Nutrition
The Philippines is burdened by several nutritional risks to health. Among the top are childhood obesity and nutrient deficiency.
Childhood Obesity
According to UNICEF, larger percentages of children and adolescents are developing obesity and are overweight than in years prior. A whopping 200% increase in adolescents who are overweight in the Philippines has occurred over the last two decades. Studies are looking into contributing factors to this, which includes
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“poor diets, inadequate nutrition… failing food systems… limited physical activity… [and living in] urban areas,” (UNICEF, 2021).
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Childhood obesity puts the individual at higher risk for health conditions as they age, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
(UNICEF, 2021)
Health Promotion
The focus of UNICEF at this time is aimed at prevention, operating the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017-2022 (PPAN). The PPAN is enacting policies to enforce healthier diets, as well as working with the Philippine Department of Education at promoting healthier school foods.
The WHO is also involved in this goal to manage childhood obesity in the Philippines, suggesting that the health issue become more public and governmentally managed. Suggestions include:
- environments conducive to physical exercise,
- restriction on unhealthy foods/drinks,
- help for mothers to exclusively breastfeed in the initial 6 months, and
- reduction of unhealthy food marketing tactics towards children.
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(UNICEF, 2021)
Nutrient Deficiencies
Top 5 Sources of Energy from Food in the Philippines
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rice
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pork
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fats/oils
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chicken
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bread
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(Angeles-Agdeppa and Custodio, 2020)
Health Promotion
Evidence suggests from prior studies that there is a positive link between healthy eating habits in the working class and their occupation’s health policies and promotion. For example, offering a healthy selection at the cafeteria and hosting activities aimed at good eating were cited as positive progress in the workers’ dietary intake.
(Angeles-Agdeppa and Custodio, 2020)
Main barrier to healthy eating:
lack of access
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(Angeles-Agdeppa and Custodio, 2020)
Studies show that the percentage of necessary nutrients that the average Filipino is consuming in their diet is very low. According to Angeles-Agdeppa and Custodio, the percentage of iron, folate, thiamin and riboflavin (or vitamins B1 and B2), calcium, and vitamin C are scored as high as 99% when looking at the prevalence of inadequate intake (2020). Lack of proper nutrients in diet leads to economic loss of productivity, and more importantly, much higher mortality rights from diseases like infections and cardiovascular disease.
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(Angeles-Agdeppa & Custodio, 2020)