MANILA/NEW YORK – Around 181 million children worldwide under the age of five – or 1 in 4 – are experiencing severe child food poverty, making them up to 50 percent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition, according to a new UNICEF report released today.
In the Philippines, efforts to reduce stunting (low height for age) and wasting (low weight for age) have led to progress over the years, with wasting showing the steadiest decline. Progress has been noted one year into the Government’s 2023-2028 Plan of Action for Nutrition, which aims to increase consumer demand for healthy diets and improve access to adequate, age-appropriate, nutrient-dense, diverse, safe, and sustainable diets.
The island nation is also enhancing its cash transfer programs to be more nutrition-sensitive by targeting the most vulnerable families to help alleviate poverty and make quality food more affordable. However, the report also reveals that the Philippines remains one of the countries that account for 65 percent of the total number of children living in severe child food poverty.
For the first time, the global report “Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood” analyzes the impacts and causes of dietary deprivation among the world’s youngest people in nearly 100 countries and across income groups. It warns that millions of children under the age of five cannot access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet necessary for optimal growth and development in early childhood and beyond.
Children who consume, at most, two of eight defined food groups are in severe child food poverty. The eight food groups include breastmilk, grains and roots, pulses and nuts, dairy products, meat, poultry and fish, eggs, Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, and other fruits and vegetables.
According to the report, around 18 percent, or 2 million, of children in the Philippines are severely food-poor. Four out of five children in this situation are fed only breastmilk/milk and/or a starchy staple, such as rice, corn, or wheat. Less than 10 percent of these children are fed fruits and vegetables, and less than 5 percent are fed nutrient-dense foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, or meat.
“Children living in severe food poverty are children living on the brink. This can have an irreversible negative impact on their survival, growth, and brain development,” said UNICEF Representative to the Philippines, Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov. “Children who consume just rice and some vegetable soup a day are up to 50 percent more likely to experience severe forms of malnutrition.”
The report warns that while countries are still recovering from the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of growing inequities, conflicts, and the climate crisis have pushed food prices and the cost of living to record high levels.
Nearly half (46 percent) of all cases of severe child food poverty are among poor households where income poverty is a major driver. Meanwhile, 54 percent – or 97 million children – live in relatively wealthier households, where poor food environments and feeding practices are the main drivers of food poverty in early childhood.
The report also revealed that consumption of unhealthy products is particularly high in the Philippines, where more than one in five children consume an unhealthy food and/or sweet beverage – despite these children consuming two or fewer food groups per day.
To end child food poverty, UNICEF calls on governments, development and humanitarian organizations, donors, civil society, and the food and beverage industry to urgently:
Transform food systems so that nutritious, diverse, and healthy foods are the most accessible, affordable, and desirable options for caregivers to feed young children.
Leverage health systems to deliver essential nutrition services to prevent and treat malnutrition in early childhood, including support for community health and nutrition workers to counsel parents and families on child feeding and care practices.
Activate social protection systems to address income poverty through social transfers (cash, food, and vouchers), in ways that are responsive to the food and nutrition needs of vulnerable children and their families. (PR)
