At the midpoint of its six-year Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028, the government’s flagship strategy to reduce malnutrition in all its forms, multiple nutrition indicators show persistent challenges that may hinder progress toward 2028 targets.
National data indicate that about 26.7 percent of Filipino children under five are stunted, according to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), citing the 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS). This survey serves as a key baseline for the current PPAN cycle.
The same data show rising overweight and obesity among older children, adolescents, and adults, while micronutrient deficiencies and food insecurity continue to affect vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) cleared the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) for implementation. Preliminary findings have begun to emerge, reinforcing the need for intensified multisectoral efforts to meet PPAN targets.
As policymakers prepare for formal mid-plan evaluation, nutrition advocates caution that without stronger implementation and coordination, several targets may remain difficult to achieve.
READ: Obesity Surges as Malnutrition Grips Filipinos’ Health
Blueprint for Nutrition: Framework and Targets of PPAN 2023–2028
The PPAN 2023–2028 is the eleventh national nutrition action plan formulated by the NNC. It serves as a strategic guide for government agencies, local government units (LGUs), civil society, development partners, and the private sector.
The plan aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and AmBisyon Natin 2040, emphasizing nutrition as foundational to national development.
PPAN adopts a life-stage and multisectoral approach, recognizing that nutritional needs differ from pregnancy and infancy through adulthood and old age.
Targets include:
- Reducing stunting and wasting
- Addressing micronutrient deficiencies
- Controlling increases in overweight and obesity
- Improving infant and young child feeding practices
The NNC projects reducing child stunting to no more than 17.9 percent by 2028, down from 26.7 percent in 2021. Achieving this would significantly reduce the number of stunted children nationwide.
To operationalize PPAN locally, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum in May 2024 directing LGUs to integrate PPAN into local development plans. Regional bodies, including the Regional Development Council in Eastern Visayas, have endorsed tailored regional strategies.
Child Stunting: High Prevalence, Slow Progress
Childhood stunting — defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as low height-for-age due to chronic undernutrition — remains a major concern.
The 2021 ENNS reported that 26.7 percent of children under five were stunted, a level still classified as high in public health terms.
Long-term trends show improvement. Historical data indicate stunting declined from approximately 44.7 percent in 1989 to about 23–24 percent in recent years, reflecting sustained reductions over decades. However, progress in the past ten years has slowed.
Localized monitoring through Operation Timbang Plus in some regions, such as Central Visayas, shows modest year-to-year declines. However, disparities remain across regions, particularly in areas with high poverty rates.
Stunting carries long-term consequences. It is associated with impaired cognitive development, lower educational attainment, and reduced productivity in adulthood.
The NNC has estimated that failure to address malnutrition could result in substantial economic losses by 2030 due to diminished human capital and productivity.
DISCOVER: LGUs Drive Stunting Cuts as Human Capital Losses Mount
Micronutrient Deficiencies and “Hidden Hunger”
Beyond stunting, micronutrient deficiencies — often referred to as “hidden hunger” — continue to affect Filipinos.
Preliminary findings from the 2023 National Nutrition Survey indicate:
- Underweight prevalence among children at 15.1 percent
- Anemia affecting approximately 10.9 percent of women of reproductive age
- Anemia affecting around 17.2 percent of older persons
Nutrition risk during pregnancy also remains concerning, with nearly one in five pregnant women identified as being at risk for low-birth-weight delivery, a factor linked to future stunting and health challenges.
These findings reinforce the importance of:
- Micronutrient supplementation programs
- Food fortification initiatives, including iodized salt
- Expanded dietary diversity strategies targeting women and children
Overweight and Obesity: A Rising Concern
At the same time, the Philippines faces a rising burden of overweight and obesity.
The 2021 ENNS reported:
- 14 percent of children aged 5–10 living with overweight or obesity
- 13 percent of adolescents aged 10–19 affected
- Approximately 40 percent of adults living with overweight or obesity
WHO Philippines has emphasized that rising obesity rates increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
Health authorities have recommended stronger measures, including:
- Front-of-pack nutrition labeling
- Restrictions on marketing of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt
- Policies promoting physical activity
This reflects the “double burden of malnutrition,” where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist within the same population.
READ: Over Half of Working-Age Filipinos Are Overweight, National Data Show
Implementation Challenges: Policy Versus Practice
Despite a comprehensive framework, implementation gaps remain.
One major issue is the timeliness and accessibility of updated data. While the 2023 National Nutrition Survey was conducted nationwide, consolidated public reporting has been gradual, limiting rapid policy adjustments.
Operational challenges have also surfaced. Legislative discussions in late 2025 raised concerns about fragmented implementation of nutrition-related programs, including feeding initiatives. Policymakers emphasized the need for stronger coordination among implementing agencies.
Local monitoring through Operation Timbang Plus shows incremental improvements in some areas but underscores persistent stunting in high-poverty communities.
These realities highlight the difference between policy design and practical, on-the-ground impact.
Next Steps at the Midpoint
At the midpoint of PPAN 2023–2028, the Philippines presents a mixed nutrition picture.
Stunting remains high at approximately 26.7 percent, overweight and obesity are rising, and micronutrient deficiencies persist among vulnerable groups.
Nevertheless, the PPAN framework provides a strong policy foundation aligned with WHO Global Nutrition Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Achieving 2028 targets will depend on:
- Strengthening implementation at local levels
- Improving timely nutrition data reporting
- Enhancing multisectoral coordination
- Expanding access to nutritious, affordable diets
The release and utilization of updated 2023 NNS findings will be crucial for evidence-based course corrections.
Bridging the gap between policy and outcomes will require sustained collaboration among government agencies, LGUs, civil society, development partners, and communities.
Only through coordinated, data-driven action can the Philippines realistically advance toward improved nutrition, healthier lives, and stronger long-term productivity.
Photo by Brigitte Elsner on Unsplash
References:
Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2023). 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS): Results overview. https://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/home.php
Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2024). DOST-FNRI presents the latest Philippine nutrition situation (2023 National Nutrition Survey preliminary results). https://fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-projects/news-and-announcement/880-dost-fnri-presents-the-latest-ph-nutrition-situation
National Nutrition Council. (2023). Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023–2028. https://nnc.gov.ph/plans-and-programs/philippine-plan-of-action-for-nutrition-ppan/
Philippine Information Agency. (2023). Inaction on malnutrition to cost P2.3 trillion by 2030 — NNC. https://pia.gov.ph/press-release/inaction-on-malnutrition-to-cost-p2-3-trillion-by-2030/
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023). PSA clears conduct of 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS). https://psa.gov.ph/content/psa-clears-conduct-2023-national-nutrition-survey-nns-0
World Health Organization Philippines. (2024, March 5). DOH, NNC, WHO and development partners call for actions to curb obesity in the Philippines. https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/05-03-2024-doh–nnc–who–and-development-partners-call-for-actions-to-curb-obesity-in-the-philippines
Rappler. (2023). Things to know: Health, nutrition status by the numbers of Filipinos. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-health-nutrition-status-numbers-filipinos/
