From Awareness to Action: What Role Do Parents Play in Preventing Childhood Stunting?

Childhood malnutrition remains a significant health issue globally, including in the Philippines, where statistics show that 1 in 4 children aged five and below are stunted. Recognizing this, Abbott is intensifying its efforts to address childhood stunting by collaborating with mom celebrities and communities.

The Growth Watch initiative by Abbott aims to highlight the problem of childhood stunting, a form of malnutrition that significantly impacts growth and development. The initiative seeks to empower parents with the knowledge and tools needed to detect and address stunting in their children, promoting better nutrition and healthier growth outcomes.

Stunting can challenge a child’s development, impact their overall health, and limit their future potential. Children affected by stunting can be at risk of significant immune deficiencies, compromised cognitive function, behavioral problems, diminished bone health, and decreased muscle mass. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 identified poor feeding practices and low nutrition literacy among the causes of malnutrition in the country. Additionally, 2 in 3 Filipino moms don’t recognize stunting as an important child development issue.

“There is a clear need to educate parents on the prevalence and impact of childhood stunting on growth and development,” explains Dr. Jose Dimaano Jr., nutrition medical affairs director for Abbott in Pacific Asia. “Early identification of growth issues and quick intervention for children found to be at risk of nutrition deficiency can have a profound impact on the fight against stunting. This is why Abbott is taking a multidisciplinary approach in supporting parents by working with communities and healthcare practitioners to provide tools and information to spot the signs of malnutrition and take action.”

Through partnerships with celebrity mothers, influencers, and online mom communities, Abbott aims to raise awareness about stunting and provide parents with resources to help their children achieve optimal growth.

”Since its inception in 2021, Growth Watch has educated and reached more than 161,000 families, and the goal is to double the reach by the end of next year,” said Angelico Escobar, general manager of Abbott’s nutrition business in the Philippines. ”Abbott is driven by our mission to help children have a healthy start and reach their optimal growth. We know that malnutrition is complex and affects children’s growth across all socioeconomic classes. The work of Growth Watch is one of Abbott’s efforts to fight global malnutrition and to help children achieve their growth potential through measurement and proper nutrition.”

In 2021, Abbott also launched the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions, a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing malnutrition worldwide. This center works with external experts and partners to identify, treat, and prevent malnutrition, focusing on vulnerable populations, including children and under-resourced communities. The Growth Watch initiative contributes to Abbott’s 2030 Sustainability Plan, which aims to transform the care of malnutrition and chronic diseases.

As part of the Growth Watch initiative, parents and guardians are encouraged to join mom communities that promote the routine measurement of children’s height and proper nutrition. Available resources include:

• PediaSure Plus Growth Calculator
• PediaSure Plus Height Chart
• Free growth assessments and nutrition counseling

Addressing malnutrition early is crucial in ensuring children reach their full developmental potential. For children who do not get sufficient nutrients from food alone, nutritional supplements like PediaSure Plus can help bridge the gap. This supplement, recommended by doctors, contains 37 essential growth nutrients, including natural vitamin K2 and arginine, which support rapid growth and strong bones.

For free growth assessments and nutrition counseling, register online or call Abbott’s Careline: Metro Manila: (02) 8995-1555 and PLDT toll-free hotline: 1-800-10-995-1555