Assessing the Progress of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition From 1974 to 2022: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition remains a public health burden in the Philippines, with the country struggling to meet global nutrition targets. Objective: This study aims to review the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and its progress in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines. Methods: A narrative literature review of the PPAN and its implementation from 1974 to 2022 was conducted, including an analysis of relevant data on the nutrition status and programs for Filipinos. Results: The study found that the PPAN has been largely supportive in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines over the years. However, obstacles hindering the achievement of its nutrition-related goals have been identified. Challenges include inadequate coordination of programs at the local level, concerns regarding data quality, and insufficient training of personnel involved in implementing the PPAN. The results also indicate that the country has made limited progress toward achieving the global nutrition targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to revisit and refine the PPAN to respond to the changing nature of malnutrition in the country. Recommendations to address the remaining gaps in the planning, implementing, and monitoring of the PPAN are discussed. Finally, the paper offers some valuable insights from the experiences of the PPAN that can be applied to other countries facing comparable nutrition contexts.