Is your child suffering from Growth Stunting?

I still remember when we had to conduct health teachings in remote areas and communities as part of our community immersion. I saw underprivileged children, malnutrition and suffering from growth stunting.


Few weeks ago I attended a short talk about Growth Stunting presented by Ceelin Plus . The speakers explained the findings about growth stunting in our country. Did you know that our country ranks 2nd in Southeast Asia on growth stunting?

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) on the study they conducted on the nutritional status of Filipino children showing that 3 in every 10 children, ages 0-5 yrs old are stunted for their age. Among those age 6-11 months, there is 16.2 percentage of stunted growth and the rate reaches as high as 33.6% when the children turn one. 

A United Nations Development Programme study also revealed that the Philippines has the 2nd highest incidence of stunting in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia getting the top spot. 

These studies shows that the incidence of growth stunting is caused by two factors, malnutrition and recurrence of illness of infections. The prolonged inadequacies in nutrient intake as well as recurrence of illness can slow down skeletal growth and eventually  lead to linear growth retardation.

This is a serious concern that everyone should understand not only to underprivileged children. Even those families belonging to class B socio-economic status could have children suffering from with this illness probably due to inadequate nutrient intake, poor eating habit and children having frequent infections.

To address the problem, Ceelin Plus, a Unilab brand has launched the "Kontra Sakit, Kontra Liit" campaign to promote awareness about growth stunting and teach us the importance of strong immunity as a defense against several infections. The campaign also promotes Vitamin C and Zinc preventive supplementation. 

Vitamin C forms part of the body's natural immune system while zinc is required for the normal development and maintenance of the immune system. Growth stunting can be prevented by increasing immunity against repeated illness and by nourishing the kids properly.  Now, we understand more of growth stunting and how we should prevent it. Thanks to Ceelin Plus and Unilab for this campaign!