Preventing Childhood Stunting: Why and How?

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According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, childhood stunting affects one-third of under-five Filipino children annually. Unfortunately, the Philippines has shown little progress in reducing its prevalence in the last 20 years. This Policy Note analyzes the factors contributing to child stunting in the country and finds that mothers' nutrition and health status during pregnancy remain crucial aspects that can influence birth outcomes. It asserts the need to adopt a nutrition agenda focused on stunting prevention and the effective delivery and financing of cost-effective interventions. It also urges the Philippine government to take advantage of the existing opportunities offered by the increasing global interest in child stunting and the platforms for the identification of the poor and the delivery and financing of health services.