UNFPA-OPS Policy Notes Series No. 1: Mitigating the Effects of Undernutrition on Schooling Performance among 10-Year-Old Children: What can be done?

The prevalence of undernutrition in the form of stunting and wasting or being thin among children in the age groups under 5, 5-9, and 10-19 years have remained high in the past decade as reported by the National Nutrition Surveys (NNS) (FNRI, 2016, pp. 24, 39, 50).

In 2015, the prevalence of stunting among these groups of children are 33%, 31%, and 32% respectively. For wasting, the corresponding prevalence rates are 7%, 8%, and 13%. Data from the Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child (Cohort Study) show similar rates for 10-year old children surveyed in 2016.

The Cohort Study also found significant links between undernutrition and schooling outcomes. This Policy Note describes these findings and their policy implications.