Childhood malnutrition remains a persistent health concern in the Philippines. According to the Department of Health, 1 in 4 children aged five and below are short for their age or stunted.
Raising awareness on this, the Abbott Growth Watch initiative encourages important conversations on childhood stunting which is considered a form of malnutrition.
Through the campaign, the Abbott Growth Watch movement aims to empower parents to screen for and recognize stunting in their children so that they can improve their child’s nutrition as early as needed.
“There is a clear need to educate parents on the prevalence and impact of childhood stunting on growth and development,” said Abbott Pacific Asia nutrition medical affairs director Dr. Jose Dimaano Jr.
“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.”
Abbott currently collaborates with celebrity moms, influencers, and online mom communities to spread awareness about stunting and to provide parents access to tools and educational resources that can help children reach their full growth potential.
These include the PediaSure Plus Growth Calculator, the PediaSure Plus Height Chart, and free growth assessment and nutrition counseling which are all accessible via https://www.family.abbott/ph-en/pediasure/tools-and-resources.html.
Registration for free growth assessment and nutrition counseling can als be done online via https://www.family.abbott/ph-en/pediasure/get-pediasure-plus/free-nutrition-counseling.html or by calling calling Abbott’s Careline – Metro Manila: (02) 8995-1555 and PLDT toll free hotline: 1-800-10-995-1555.
