Malnutrition

The Rotary Club of Manila’s current efforts to combat malnutrition in the country deserves the full support of the membership. Two days ago, a follow-up meeting with the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) was led by President Raffy, together with Vice-President Reggie, VP-Elect Joel, Committee Chairpersons John Cutter and Jason Bogovich, as well as yours truly (as WASH Committee Chair).

The malnutrition malady must be given the same attention as the polio problem around the world. Malnutrition, in all its forms, includes undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight), inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight, obesity, and resulting diet-related noncommunicable diseases.

The World Health Organization has reported that 1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese, while 462 million are underweight. Globally in 2020, 149 million children under 5 were estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million were estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million were overweight or obese. Ruefully, around 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition. These mostly occur in low- and middle-income countries. At the same time, in these same countries, rates of childhood overweight and obesity are rising.

Malnutrition has been a persistent challenge throughout human history. Its roots trace back to ancient times when societies faced food scarcity, inadequate agriculture, and limited knowledge of nutrition. In ancient civilization, malnutrition was often a result of food shortages, crop failures, and socio-economic disparities. The middle ages saw periodic famines across Europe due to factors like climate fluctuations, war, and inefficient agricultural practices. Who would forget about the Great Famine of 1315-1317? The Industrial Revolution brought about crowded cities with poor living conditions and poor access to nutritious food. The two world wars in the 20th century exacerbated the situation in most countries. In recent times, conflicts and social disparities continue to hound many parts of the globe, and these factors contribute to the persistence of this worldwide problem.

Efforts to combat malnutrition continue, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, food security, education, and improved healthcare infrastructure. It is undeniable that, despite progress, there is still work to be done to ensure adequate nutrition for all.

In our corner of the world, the Philippine Rotary movement must band together and, in partnership with other like-minded civic and business organizations, address this persistent problem of malnutrition among our population.