Abstract
Socio-economic status (SES) has an impact on food consumption in developing countries. However, the impact of SES on dietary patterns in Filipino school-aged children is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to fill this knowledge gap, using data from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey. Dietary intake of 11,691 children (6–18 years) were assessed using a 24-h recall. All food and beverages were assigned to one of 85 food groups. Mean daily intake, percent consuming (prevalence), and contribution to energy intake were determined, and stratified by SES, in 6–9 years old, 10–12 years old, and 13–18 years old. Rice was the most consumed food and the primary source of energy across all three age groups, independent of SES. Children of poor SES presented greater consumption of fish, vegetables, fruit, and table sugar (p < 0.05). In comparison, children of rich and middle SES presented greater consumption of milk, chicken, pork, sausages, and soft-drinks (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SES impacts the type of foods consumed by Filipino children, with children in the poorest households being most at risk of consuming low-variety diets. This analysis could be used to support public health strategies to improve dietary diversity, and potentially nutrient intake, in Filipino children.
Highlights
The Philippines is currently experiencing a double burden of malnutrition, wherein the prevalence of underweight and stunting is increasing in parallel with obesity
A similar trend was observed in 10–12-year-old children, wherein 55% were of poor socio-economic status (SES), of which 68% lived in a rural location
In 13–18-year-old children, 48% were of poor SES, and 32% of rich SES, with 60% of the poor SES dwelling in a rural location, compared to 50% of the rich SES dwelling in an urban location
Summary
The Philippines is currently experiencing a double burden of malnutrition, wherein the prevalence of underweight and stunting is increasing in parallel with obesity. Recent evidence from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey identified inadequate intake of macroand micronutrients, including protein, total fat, calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, riboflavin, thiamin, and phosphorus [4]. The prevalence of these nutrient inadequacies was greater in children and adolescents living in a rural location or of a poor SES [4]. This imbalance in nutrients is potentially due to poor dietary diversity due to limited food consumption variation. Kennedy et al identified greater micronutrient inadequacies in young Filipino children who were consuming a less diverse diet [5]
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