One of every four Pinoy kids underweight

One out of every four Filipino children aged six to 10 is underweight and one out of three Filipino children aged six to 10 years is underheight for his age, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

Dr. Mario Villasaya Capanzana, director of the FNRI-DOST said this is due to the fact that most Pinoy children are not eating enough vegetables.

Capanzana said that based on their 2005 National Nutrition Survey (NNS), vegetable consumption accounts for only 4.1 percent of total daily food intake for children aged six months to six years.

“Worse, this extremely low share is equivalent to only 23 grams of vegetables, only half of the recommended daily intake of 45 grams or one bowl of vegetables per day,” Capanzana said during the press conference and advocacy launching of Knorr’s “Makulay ang Buhay sa Sinabawang Gulay” last Tuesday.

In the last 17 years, from 1988 to 2005, Capanzana said they found out, through nutritional surveys, the decreasing trend in the consumption of vegetables among children.

“Together with nutrient deficiencies brought about by low vegetable consumption, these kids are underweight and underheight (which) potentially can lead to a malnutrition outbreak,” Capanzana said.

He noted that most children are eating bad fats and saturated fats from junk food and processed food which contain chemicals and preservatives.

“Not only are children in danger of developing sickness or diseases in the future by not eating vegetables, they also fare poorly in school because of poor nutrition,” Capanzana stressed.

In a study conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) among elementary students in February 2007, achievement rate in Mathematics, Science and English declined from 58.73 percent in 2004 to 54.66 percent in 2006. The students scored failing grades in Math, with 53.66 percent to 54.66 percent from 2004 to 2006.

Statistics also showed that schoolchildren absorb only half of what they should be learning, and this may be indicative of problems resulting from lack of vegetables in their diet.

Dr. Jose Chuaunsu, consultant at the Manila Doctors Hospital Department of Pediatrics and one of the resource persons at the Knorr press conference, said the lack of two of the most important micronutrients found in vegetables – Vitamin A and Iron – may result in Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) disorders and Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA).

VAD is indicated by symptoms of slow growth, susceptibility to infections leading to sickness, and poor mental development. Children with IDA are also found to be weak, lethargic and easily exhausted and sleepy.

Chuaunsu said parents play a big role in teaching their kids to like vegetables.

“Parents must be role models. They should expose their children to vegetables early on. They should refrain from introducing sweets, junk food and processed food,” Chuaunsu said.

He suggested that parents, especially mothers, prepare a simple broth of beans, potatoes, corn, legumes and other green and leafy vegetables to children like a tasty “sinabawang gulay.”

“A sinabawang gulay made up of healthy and nutritious vegetables will help the children later on in life fight diseases like diabetes and cancer. It will also help build up their immune system and make them strong, smart, healthy and happy kids,” Chuaunsu said.