It Starts In The Kitchen

by Alex Lozada
February 26, 2025

It’s time to set your kids up for success and it all begins with what you put on the table!

In Filipino culture, there are few joys greater than sitting down to a hearty meal with loved ones. But malnutrition remains a national issue, with one in three Filipino children experiencing stunted growth or malnutrition, which can have lasting effects on both physical and cognitive development.

As parents, providing the best for your children includes establishing a strong foundation of proper nutrition and encouraging healthy habits. From understanding how childhood malnutrition manifests to practical tips on how to combat this, we look into the role of essential nutrients in strong bones and healthy growth, along with expert insights from Dr. Jose Dimaano, Jr., Abbott’s Nutrition Medical Director for Asia Pacific.

It’s more common than we think

Malnutrition is not a new problem, and it stems from children not getting enough nutrients, poor nutrient absorption, and the inefficient use of nutrients. This contributes to stunting (low height-for-age), underweight (low weight-for-age), and wasting (low weight-for-height) issues that compromise the overall well-being of Filipino children.

Malnutrition still runs rampant today due to the lack of proper nutritional guidance, and with the Philippines fifth in the East Asia and Pacific region for the highest prevalence of stunting, placing us among the top ten countries worldwide with the highest number of stunted children. It’s important to be aware of how we can do our part to prevent childhood malnutrition.

How parents can combat childhood malnutrition

The good news is that you need not turn to bland and suffocating diets, or stringent rules on what goes in your childrens’ bodies–it’s actually all about balance. Finding the right combination of essential nutrients goes a long way in fostering healthy development.

“Understanding and being attentive to your children’s dietary needs is vital for their growth and development,” says Dr. Jose Dimaano, Jr., Abbott’s Nutrition Medical Director for Asia Pacific.

How parents can combat childhood malnutrition

What’s even better about prioritizing what to put in meals is that it strengthens family bonds through meal planning and shared food experiences. In the kitchen, you’ll be surprised to find everyday food you can mix and match to ensure your children are still enjoying what they eat while teaching them what’s good for their growing bodies and what isn’t.

Essential nutrients that make the body stronger

The first step to combating childhood malnutrition is ensuring your children have well-balanced diets that incorporate essential nutrients. Here are some of them and how they support development:

Protein (found in lean meats, dairy, eggs, and legumes) supports tissue repair and growth in muscles, skin, organs and more. Take note: healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein provide the additional calories to fuel energy needed to support growth – not the ones we get from junk food!
Iron-rich food (such as meat, eggs, and leafy greens) are excellent sources to deliver oxygen to the body’s cells and support overall development.
Zinc (found in beef, spinach, and beans) plays a key role in cell growth and immune function.
Arginine (found in nuts, grains, legumes, meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products) and Vitamin K2 (found in fermented products like yogurt and cheese along with animal-based food like meat and eggs) are crucial for bone growth and linear development.

“Providing a balanced diet that includes essential nutrients like Arginine and Vitamin K2 can promote bone growth and overall physical development,” Dr. Jose Dimaano Jr. explains. “Ensuring they receive proper nutrition through a healthy diet, supplemented with the right formulations when necessary, optimizes their health and helps them reach their full potential.”

And while meal planning is a step in the right direction, consulting your pediatrician for additional guidance on supplements or formulations that can help meet your child’s nutritional needs does wonders too. Products like PediaSure Plus use a special formulation that has been scientifically designed with 37 growth nutrients, including Natural Vitamin K2 for strong bones and added Arginine for faster linear growth – all targeted to support children’s development.

The saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Proactive everyday choices like purposeful meal planning and incorporating essential nutrients into different dishes are simple things you can do to support proper growth and development of your children, fueling them to a successful future.” The bonus? You’re making healthier choices for yourself too!