Child Food Poverty
This is a new term i learned from a lecture given by a pediatrician, Dr Vivien Torres, at the Makati Shangrila last August 26, 2026.
There are eight (8) essential food groups that our children should eat daily and these are the following:
1. Breastmilk
2. Grains/ roots/ tubers and plantains
3. Pulses/ nuts / seeds
4. Dairy products
5. Fish foods/ meat
6. Eggs
7. Vita A rich fruits/ vegetables
8. Other fruits/ vegetables
If the children are fed only with:
A. 0-2 of the food groups/ day then they are living in severe child food poverty
B. If they are fed with 3-4 food groups/ day then they are living in moderate child food poverty
C. And if the children are fed with 5 or more of the food groups/ day then they are NOT living in child food poverty.
Dr Torres further stated that recent survey showed that the balance of dietary deprivation tips toward middle and upper income household, proving that income alone does not guarantee a diverse nutritious diet in early childhood.
In our country, the Philippines, 53% are in child food poverty and 18% of them are in severe child food poverty.
Moreover, Dr Torres emphasized that 1 in 2 children under 5 are food poor.
It was noted that the three major causes of severe child food poverty are:
1. Poor food environment
2. Poor child feeding practices
3. And household income poverty.
Because of these, it may result to child food poverty and may lead to a cycle of poverty and deprivation. The child may have poor growth and development and lower school achievements.
We, parents and caregivers, should feed our children daily the eight food groups for them to be healthy and to avoid child food poverty.
We should keep in mind that the key nutrients for a healthy child are the following:
1. For brain development:
DHA, Choline, Sphingomyelin, Iron, Zinc, Selenium
2. For immunity:
Vitamins A, C , E; Zinc; Selenium
3. For bone health:
Calcium, And Vitamin D