It is quite ironic that the children of fishermen who provide us with food have a higher rate of malnourishment and stunting.

This is according to the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) data from a National Nutrition Survey.  Citing a study conducted by a former director, FNRI Senior Science Research Specialist Dr. Eva Goyena said the data shows that there is a higher rate of stunting and low weight among children in families headed by fisherfolk. The study also showed that children from lower-income families have higher cases of Vitamin A, iodine and iron deficiency.

A fish harvest does not necessarily mean nutritious food for the families of those living in the coastal areas.  The FNRI official said that while the fisherfolk sell the good parts of the fish in the market, they keep the entrails, like intestines and other internal organs, and the heads, for themselves to eat.

She cited the higher rate of stunting in geographically isolated or depressed areas (GIDA) which include fisherfolk communities in the Western Visayas particularly Panay Island,  BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), Zamboanga Peninsula, MIMAROPA (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon,  Palawan), and Bicol Region.
Many studies have confirmed that malnutrition does not only cause stunting, it also affects the learning ability of the child.

We are disseminating the result of our study to inform the policymakers, particularly the local government units (LGUs) in the coastal areas to prioritize programs for the fisherfolk, she said.

The problem of malnutrition in the Philippines has been a concern of government and the private sector, especially the non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The UNICEF cites the problem in numbers: “Every day, 95 children in the Philippines die from malnutrition. Twenty-seven out of 1,000 Filipino children do not get past their fifth birthday. A third of Filipino children are stunted, or short for their age. Stunting after two years of age can be permanent, irreversible and even fatal.”

Malnutrition is also a window to the problem of hunger. A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in December 2023 revealed that approximately 12.6 percent of Filipino families have experienced involuntary hunger—being hungry and having nothing to eat—at least once in the previous three months. Conducted from Dec. 8 to 11, 2023, the study showed that hunger increased from 9.8 percent in September 2023 to 12.6 percent in December 2023.

There are many programs that aim to fight hunger, specifically malnutrition, among children.  Recently, the Children's First One Thousand Days Coalition launched its operating manual to guide and coordinate programs of the private and public sectors.

As fish will be a major food commodity during the church season of Lent, which starts a few days from now, it would be a good time to reflect on the fisherfolk and their families. And what one can do as a community head, civic leader, company decision maker, or a government official to prioritize programs for the children of the fishermen.