Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) — Nutrition worsened as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic that caused countless of job losses, a health expert said Thursday.
[Translation: There is a huge increase (in the nutrition problem of) children, especially the stunting for children under five years old.]
Citing previous data, Dayanghirang said 3.4 million Filipino children five years old and below suffered from stunted growth.
She added the number is expected to rise as Filipinos face unemployment.
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“Dahil sa pagdami ng pamilya na nakakaranas nang kagutuman, inaasahan natin na mas dadami pa ang malnourished na mga bata,” Dayanghirang said, but stopped short of mentioning figures.
“Ang dahilan ng malnutrition ay dahil sa kakulangan nang sapat na pagkain ang pamilya… kulang sa kaalaman sa pagpapakain sa bata,” she added.
[Translation: With more and more families experiencing hunger, we expect more malnourished children. The cause of malnutrition is due to the family’s lack of adequate food… lack of knowledge on child feeding.]
Dayanghirang said caring for the child’s first 1,000 days is important to prevent malnutrition.
She said the country targets to “eliminate all forms of malnutrition by 2030” as part of its commitment to the United Nations sustainable development goals.
“Malaki ang pagtaas [ng problema sa nutrition ng] mga bata, lalo na ang stunting under five years old children,” Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, executive director at National Nutrition Council, said during a virtual briefing.
