Sizing Up: The stunting and child malnutrition problem in the Philippines

Stunting in the Philippines, with a rate of 33%, is largely due to inequality of access to nutritious food, long period of hunger, and a lack of nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life. The first 1,000 days, from the time of conception up to the child’s first two years of life, is considered a “window of opportunity” which is a critical period of growth and development. Poor nutritional status of mother and child during this period is the primary cause of stunting.

This report aims to cull relevant findings of research studies on nutrition and stunting in order to provide background information about child malnutrition in the country, most especially in impoverished communities. The desk review findings from this report suggest that shortness is not a racial or genetic trait, but rather due to malnutrition.