Major Nutrition Problems in Philistines

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 Introduction
The Philippines seems to have the most severe nutritional deficiency (PEM) and
micronutrient shortages. In 1998, an increase in the prevalence rate reversed the general
downward trend in the prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting among Philippine
children in the last ten years. Around 4 million (31.8%) of the early school population were
registered as sub-weight and chronically energy-deficient, with 3 million (19.8%) young people
and 5 million (13.2%) seniors, including the elderly. Furthermore, the problem of micronutrient
malnutrition in the country is a major concern. Vitamin A status in the country is considered an
important sub-clinical deficiency for six months to 5 years of age (8.2 percent) and pregnant
women (7.1 percent ). The most worrying is iron-deficiency anemia, with a significant
proportion of babies (56.6%), women who are pregnant (50.7%), women who are lactation
(45.7%), and men who are older (49.1 percent). The prevalence of IDD (71 mg/L) was moderate.
However, 35.8% of children aged 6 to 12 still have moderate to severe IDDs.
Obesity and overweight constitute a large population of children, teenagers, and adults in
the country, predisposing them to certain diet and health risks. This is illustrated by the
increasing trend in the prevalence of heart and vascular system diseases. In the Philippines, there
are many related factors causing
malnutrition – health, climate, community,
finance, and other factors. Nutritional
status is affected by the availability of and
food supplied and consumed by the
general population. Although there are
ample foods to feed the population, most
of the Philippines still suffer malnutrition
due to inadequate food and nutrient
consumption. In reality, the traditional Filipino diet was severely lacking in energy and other
nutrients, except for protein. Protein is used as an energy source by the body to account for
insufficient energy consumption. As a result, the country's PEM problem persists.
With nearly 28 million Philippines unable to buy food to fulfill their nutritional needs and
other critical needs, their current economic situation compounds the malnutrition epidemic.
Although Filipinos' health status has increased with decreased mortality in mothers and children,
the growing incidence of infectious diseases, such as diarrhea and respiratory diseases, has led to
poor nutrition status for many Filipinos. The 1998 national survey on nutrition showed an
increase in malnutrition prevalence due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and El Nio.

Invention Strategies
The following strategies can help in improving the status of the Philippine’s population
living with nutrition problems:
1. Transfer to a more transparent commercial strategy on grains and other agricultural
products. Abolish lengthy quantitative limitations on rice to open the way for more free trade.
This will include amendments to Republic Act No. 8178 of the Act on Agricultural Tariffs to
ensure that rice imports are regulated above the minimum volume of access conducted under the
WTO. The Government needs the public will to implement this long-overdue policy change to
solve the country's largest and most prevalent malnutrition trigger. The Government also has the
option of protecting rice farmers by establishing trade barriers that can be reduced with time to
achieve target domestic rice prices but prevent a large displacement of high-cost producers.
2. Improve supply chains such that the disadvantaged and food-insecure families can afford
food, have higher incomes and eat a wider variety of foods. This entails a variety of strategies,
including connecting small farmers as food suppliers direct to nutrition programs (e.g.,
supplemental feeding) and nutritional markets (e.g., government hospitals); strengthening value
chains and backward and forward linkages;
and eradicating unfair trade practices and
misuse of top positions by the use of
regulatory framework under the WTO.
Promote increased dietary diversity in
populations within nutrition-sensitive
development systems in addition to these.
3. Advance the participation of the private
sector in respondent food systems to make
food available for a greater number of
households among deprived groups to social security and nutrition (e.g., women, children,
PWDs, and IPs). Private sector (including civil society organizations, private businesses, and
social enterprises) may be encouraged to participate in healthcare and nutritional services; food
production and farmers assistance, both for improved livelihoods and diverse diets; fortified
foods; and the promotion of convenient yet safe food technologies. Use community partnerships
in particular to solve the backlog of rural infrastructure. Facilitating PPPs by further simplifying
specifications and procedures has to be a priority. Greater involvement of the private sector in
local FSN projects and the better representation of private and civilized society throughout the
FSN Council will be important steps to broaden this function.
4. Guarantee that PPAN recognizes other sector interests and simultaneously advocates for
PPAN incorporation and recognition of PDP priority and other sector plans, particularly farming,
food production, education, welfare, and medical security. Rename PPAN into the Philippine
Food Security and Nutrition Action Plan (PPAFSN). As successor plans are currently being
created, NEDA and NNC need to arrange an FSN organizing committee or a different
collaboration planning panel. Besides, pay greater attention to the location of PPAFSN,
particularly now that a new set of local officials exists.
5. Use taxpayer resources to attract money from the private industry. Route and monitor the
results of major private sector initiatives and services to support healthy nutrition and
malnutrition. Provide program stakeholders with the knowledge to facilitate collaboration and
collaborations. The Government should consider supplementing or supplementing effective
private-sector programs, even with limited funding, to expand its initiatives. Consider setting up
an End Hunger Fund (EHF) to fund FSN programs and support an SDG 2 initiative. The EHF
can be a collective fund with three levels: government funds, donor funds, and crowd-based
funds. Donor funds are comprised of NGO funds, such as private foundations, CSOs, social
corporations, and foreign aid organizations. Crowd-sourced funding will be raised from
individuals' or association's voluntary donations. To that end, the Government can envisage
about P35 billion per year for the public portion of EHF.

Community Programs
Communities can improve the Philippines' nutrition problems by educating and creating
awareness to citizens concerning food production and a good diet. Education will generate higher
standard and nutritious food demand from consumers and encourage legislation to secure these
food markets. Countries require adequate education and extension services to protect consumers'
nutritional well-being in rural and urban environments. The program should provide customers
with appropriate information about how to properly and safely feed them and protect themselves
from issues associated with foodstuffs. Countries also need adequate food industry education
initiatives to ensure that all production sectors know the needs and issues of nutritionally
balanced food supply production. These initiatives are most successful when Government, the
food industry, and customers collectively fund, plan, improve and execute them. There are some
unique groups of customers and industries to which the initiatives should be tailored. The
systems must also be assessed to ascertain the effectiveness of their objectives.
Nutritional Outcomes
The Philippines' Government has been sensitive to the nutritional needs of its citizens
through its designated nutrition agencies. Some of the measures have been campaigned for
longer periods than others, although some have not been updated in national legislation. Lack of
monitoring and assessment tools and services and a lack of Community knowledge are common
challenges.
Sustainability
The country can enjoy the following outcomes and sustainability of the nutrition
problem; Assurance of quality and regulation in food production, supply, operation. Food
processing increases food supply to rural and urban communities by applying preservation
methods, mitigating the impact of seasonal differences, and encouraging a rich and varied diet.
Food manufacturing can boost food's
esthetic properties and increase the
likelihood of consumption and contribute
to nutrition. If adherence to good
manufacturing codes is observed, food
production can directly contribute to
food quality and safety and to promoting
good nutrition. As these codes are in
many countries, to some degree, mostly
voluntary, it is very important to protect
citizens through improved food quality
and safety that the food industry,
particularly the people responsible for hygiene and quality control, participate in their
production. An inspection and quality management program must provide a code to identify and
correct the causes of pollution and quality deterioration. The correction of activities or conditions
detrimental to health or affect the nutritional quality of food should be prioritized.
Conclusion
Despite all key players in nutrition, the Fifth National Nutrition Survey's preliminary
findings for some parameters indicate deterioration in the country's nutrition situation. This can
be explained by the Philippines' economic crisis, regional reform of existing programs, and new
methods and improved nutritional policies that were not spared the Philippines.
Recommendations
Upon close examination of the nutritional problems in the Philippines, I suppose the
following recommendations would move a great way in assisting the people of this country to
overcome these problems:

1) The Government and the non-governmental organizations to take part in a feeding

program.
2) Filtered water should be provided to outlying areas. Clean water improves hygiene,
and therefore if well-wishers in support of the Philippines government would
implement this, the people would so much benefit.
3) Volunteers can build and maintain a school garden to support learning to have food
while in schools and relieve them from buying food.
4) In schools, construct water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. This would help the
children while in school to remain clean by washing their hands frequently and
eliminate disease-causing germs.  
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