An estimated seven million children across the Philippines currently experience hunger and malnutrition, painting a bleak picture amid rosy economic growth figures. This public health problem is largely driven by inadequate access to nutritious food, lack of nutrition education, and poor health and sanitation services.

These challenges were unearthed in a forum on malnutrition at Green Sun in Makati City, hosted by the United for Healthier Kids (U4HK) advocacy led by Nestlé Philippines. The forum featured Senator Grace Poe, Director Mario Capanzana of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, and Dr. Adela Jamorabo-Ruiz of the Nutritionist-Dieticians Association of the Philippines, who all shed light on the multiple facets of malnutrition. Moreover, the panelists highlighted the need for sustained interventions in providing access to food and strengthening nutrition education among kids, their parents, teachers, and community leaders.