 |
| Overweight is also considered a form of malnutrition. Data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) showed that 9.1 percent of children aged between five and 10 are considered overweight. FEIHE International Philippines believes that choosing minimally processed milk as part of a child's diet can play a role in addressing the malnutrition battle in the Philippines. (Image by Freepik enhanced with AI) |
The numbers are stark, and the consequences permanent. In the Philippines, the battle against childhood malnutrition is not just a health crisis; it is a direct threat to the country's economic future.
The national government has mounted an aggressive push to eliminate the most rampant developmental deficits: stunting (children who are too short for their age due to chronic undernutrition), wasting (children who are dangerously thin for their height due to acute food shortages or disease), and broader malnutrition (which encompasses undernutrition and obesity due to unseen micronutrient deficiencies).
Earlier this year, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa declared the current 23.6 percent stunting rate among Filipino children as “not acceptable”. He heavily emphasized the invisible, irreversible danger of “brain stunting”, a condition that guarantees learning difficulties and lower productivity in adulthood. This reflects a broader nutrition crisis in the Philippines. Aside from the high stunting rate, 5.6 percent of children are wasted,15.1 percent are underweight, and 9.1 percent among children aged five to 10 are overweight, according to Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), This underscores a growing "double burden" of malnutrition, where undernutrition and overnutition coexist.
Yet, out in the communities, the narrative shifts from statistics to quiet desperation. Many Filipino parents diligently provide their children with milk every single day, only to feel a deep sense of anxiety when their child remains stubbornly underweight or overweight. The effort is there, but the results are missing.
Addressing this disconnect is vital. Dr. Yvonne Marie Ferrer, Scientific Affairs Director of FEIHE International Philippines underscores the urgency, noting that eradicating malnutrition is a dual-purpose mission. It will not only rescue the physical growth trajectory of these children but also promote the economic development of the country in the long run.
“Raising a generation of well-developed and intellectually sound individuals is not just a health imperative; it is our economic lifeline,” Dr. Ferrer stresses. “If we fail to nourish their bodies and minds today, we are setting up our future workforce for failure. The cost of inaction is simply too high.”
To achieve this, experts are looking closely at what actually goes into a child's cup. One of the most accessible and vital sources of nutrients is milk, a staple beverage for growing children.
“Milk should contain a matrix of highly bioavailable proteins, calcium, essential fatty acids plus important ingredients like prebiotics and lactoferrin, and must be easy to prepare.” Dr. Ferrer explains. And with a number of glasses a day, it can support physical and cognitive development of kids, and even strengthen their immune system.”
However, not all milk is created equal. A formula containing mainly fresh cow's milk is widely considered a reasonable option for optimal childhood nutrition.
“Several studies have shown that milk kept closer to its natural state helps retain important nutrients, making them easier for children to absorb,” Dr. Ferrer notes. “We are talking about keeping the biological architecture of the milk intact, exactly as nature intended.”
The key lies in the processing. Excessive heat treatments can denature essential nutrients and fundamentally alter the milk's natural structure. On the other hand, milk that is minimally processed and subjected to less heat treatment is better able to retain its original architecture. This translates to better gastrointestinal absorption. By keeping the milk fresh and natural, critical components like bioactive proteins such as immunoglobulins, vitamins B and C remain intact, maximizing the nutritional value of every glass.
“When you subject milk to brutal processing temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius, you are essentially destroying the very nutrients you are trying to provide," Dr. Ferrer states. "By avoiding these ultra-high temperatures, we ensure the structural integrity of nutrients is not compromised, allowing the child's digestive system to actually absorb them efficiently rather than just passing them through.”
Furthermore, freshness plays a vital role in preserving naturally occurring bioactive components like Lactoferrin, a powerful iron-binding protein that actively supports a child’s immune health.
“Lactoferrin acts as a vital, natural defense mechanism,” Dr. Ferrer adds. “It binds iron, deprives harmful gut bacteria of the resources they need to thrive, and directly boosts a child's natural immune response. When preserved in fresh milk, it's not just food; it's armor.”
How can parents choose the right milk? It starts with reading the label a strict habit.
“When fresh milk is listed first in the ingredient list, that means it is the foundational ingredient of the product,” advises Dr. Ferrer. “The first ingredient listed is always what the product contains the most of. The ingredient list does not lie.”
The bottom line is a hard truth for many households: if mothers are consistently giving their children milk but see minimal to no difference in their physical development, it is time to check exactly what they are serving. It could be highly processed dairy products stripped of their native, bioavailable benefits.
The fight against national malnutrition starts at the household level. By deliberately choosing simple, minimally processed, and natural food sources, we can raise a physically and intellectually sound generation of Filipinos.
###
0 Comments