03 November 2022

Curbing childhood obesity in the Philippines: Time to junk the junk (food)

When it comes to sweets and other unhealthy food, the struggle is real. Ensuring a child has a healthy diet and regular physical activity can be challenging for parents and caregivers alike. So often, whether it is due to cost, taste, availability, accessibility, or other factors, a bag of chips or a piece of cupcake seems to be the choice instead…, Children and caregivers contend with unhealthy food marketing, There are many factors contributing to overnutrition and extreme weight gain in children—but one common contributor is advertising and marketing through television and social media. Unhealthy food marketing is everywhere, and it affects what food children eat, prefer and request. Eight-year-old Kevin, who enjoys donuts and soft drinks, says: “I…, With little to no action, about one-third of the country’s teens could become obese by 2030, In the Philippines, if zero or minimal measures are taken, this would mean that more than 30% of adolescents will either be overweight or obese by 2030, or in less than eight years. The risk of getting diseases is also higher, which will result in a huge cost in terms of healthcare and lost income and opportunities. More importantly, for families…, A child’s eating preferences begin with parents’ prenatal healthy choices, Parents and other caregivers are the first line of defense against an unhealthy diet. Getting the proper vitamins and minerals begins even before childbirth. A mother who eats right can start to influence a baby’s preferences, as well as the nutritional status upon birth. And in the first crucial years, breastmilk is best. Experts advise to…, Tackling an obesity-influencing environment requires the involvement of everyone, Making nutritional values commonplace through front-of-pack labelling is one of the many solutions proposed by different concerned institutions and groups to form a systemic approach to curb childhood obesity. The Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council is developing the Philippine Nutrient Profile Model, which will provide…
20 May 2021

UNICEF Achievements in 2020

2020 was a year unlike any other. UNICEF works day in, day out, in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the children and young people who are most at risk and most in need. We work to save their lives. To protect their rights. To keep them safe from harm. To give them a childhood in which they’re protected, healthy and educated. To give…, COVID-19 Response, UNICEF provided emergency support to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines and protect the lives of children and their families. 83,000 health and community workers provided with personal protective equipment. 15,000 health and sanitary workers trained on COVID-19 infection prevention and control for health care facilities.…, Helping children survive and thrive, UNICEF addresses children’s needs in quality health care, adequate nutrition, immunization, adolescent health and early childhood development. 6.6 million children vaccinated against polio and 4 million children vaccinated against measles and rubella through the Department of Health’s supplementary immunization campaigns. 9,863 community service…, Helping children live in safe and clean environments, With the onset of COVID-19, UNICEF quickly focused on WASH services as a critical part of its pandemic response. Delivered lifesaving COVID-19 advisories to 25 million children on health, nutrition, and child protection through SMS blasts, social media, and free TV and radio. Provided hygiene materials and installed emergency WASH equipment in…, Helping children learn, Children and young people face challenges in their education. UNICEF supports the Department of Education’s learning continuity programs to help ensure that children and adolescents continue to learn during the pandemic. Developed e-books for 3 million children. Created an online platform for the Alternative Learning System where 200,000…, Protecting children from violence and exploitation, Filipino children continue to be at risk in their homes, schools, communities and online. UNICEF works to strengthen the systems that prevent and respond to violence against children and ensure children’s access to justice, and recovery programs. Provided technical support to the government that led to the issuance of a joint memorandum circular…, Partnerships to protect and promote children's rights, In 2020, UNICEF worked with multi-national corporations, local companies and small to medium-sized businesses to support child development programs and humanitarian assistance in emergencies. UNICEF Philippines is grateful to the Governments of Australia, Japan, Korea, Spain, the UK, and the US for their support to UNICEF regular programme and…, UNICEF Philippines Achievements in 2020 Download UNICEF Philippines 2020 Annual Report Highlights, UNICEF Philippines Annual Report 2020 UNICEF Philippines/2021