Press Release
October 11, 2009

ANGARA: BEAT MALNUTRITION TO RAISE PRODUCTIVE GENERATION, ACHIEVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

Alarmed that one in five of the country's 11 million children are malnourished, Senator Edgardo J. Angara renewed his call to strengthen child development through proper health care and nutrition.

"People often neglect the fact that malnutrition is not solely caused by hunger. Even people who have plenty to eat may be malnourished if they don't eat the right kind of food that provides the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals," said Angara, author of numerous health laws including the law creating PhilHealth, Magna Carta for Health Workers and the Breastfeeding Act.

He added, "Hunger not only threatens an individual child's life. It also hampers socio-economic development. Raising a generation of stunted and undernourished children poses a serious threat to the nation's overall health and human capital development."

Angara emphasized that without proper health, children are unable to realize their development potentials. Eventually, without a physically and mentally strong workforce, there will be little opportunities for productivity and economic growth. There will be no solid foundation on which the nation would stand. Worldwide, there is a 27% malnutrition rate among children below the age of five.

"We ought to work hard at beating this because this problem can still be reversed," laments Angara.

The Senator will soon launch his advocacy campaign called OMG! Oh My Gulay! which promotes a healthy, diversified diet that includes a high intake of fruits and vegetables as the best way to combat micronutrient deficiency.

OMG! takes inspiration from highly-successful awareness campaigns such as ONE.org and Al Gore's The Inconvenient Truth, but this time tackling the equally important issue of malnutrition. The campaign includes print, music, TV, DVD and online media, tapping popular artists to lend their names and talent to the cause.

"Eating vitamin- and mineral-rich vegetables is the most sound and cost-effective solution to this stealthy, silent killer. But we need to remind people of this often forgotten fact. That is why I chose to build a massive campaign on healthy eating," he said.

Further, Angara shares a report from Nemours, one of the largest nonprofit organizations devoted to children's health. It says that the proper treatment for malnutrition is dependent on its cause. A doctor or dietitian might recommend specific changes in the types and quantities of foods to ensure that a child gets the necessary nutrients for sound mental and physical growth.

"Good health remains not only one the most basic goals of humanity and all societies in the world; it is a lifelong process beginning in childhood. This health, nutrition campaign takes extensive awareness and call-to-action against the threats of hunger and malnutrition to our children," said Angara.

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