Bear Brand helps address malnutrition problems

MANILA, Philippines - Malnutrition is still a primary health concern in the Philippines.

The latest Nutritional Status Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) says that in 2008, 25.6 percent of kids aged six to 10 were underweight, while 33.1 percent of them were underheight.

Iron deficiency among children aged six to 12 was also high at 19.8 percent.

“To help address these nutrition problems among children, proper and adequate nutrition is very important. Regular milk drinking may also help achieve this goal,” says Jasmin Estacio, consumer marketing manager of Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink.

“Lakas resistensya” nutrients zinc, iron, and vitamin C all help strengthen the body’s resistance. These are considered “Lakas resistensya” nutrients that are found in Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink.

Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink is also rich in calcium, which is important in building strong bones and teeth. It is recommended for children to be consistent in drinking milk as bone growth is at its highest during childhood up to the teenage years.

It also has protein, which is needed in building and repairing tissues.

Milk important in kids’ diet

Nutritionists say there’s no other food or beverage that can replace milk’s nutrients. Unfortunately, in the same survey by FNRI-DOST, it was found out that Filipino children do not have enough milk in their diet.

“A lot of families do not drink milk because they think it is expensive. This is one of the reasons why Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink has initiated programs to inform people that milk and nutritious foods can still be enjoyed without having to spend so much. For example, we give mothers tips on how to incorporate drinking milk and choosing healthy but affordable foods in their families’ meals in our Laki sa Gatas lectures,” Estacio says.

Laki sa Gatas is a nutrition education advocacy of Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink that seeks to inculcate the value of eating the right kind of food and drinking milk among children, mothers, and educators through various activities and lectures conducted by licensed nutritionists.

“We want to reinforce in people that good nutrition can be achieved by drinking milk and making the right food choices,” Estacio says.