Food security exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle. This is the definition given by the World Food Summit.
Results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey showed that more than 3 million preschool children suffer from undernutrition. School children, adolescents and adults also suffer from protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
According to the Food Insecurity Survey , 3 in every 10 mothers and 2 out of 10 children experienced food insecurity in the past three months. And 2 out of 10 mothers, while 1 out of 10 children experienced hunger.
About 7 out of 10 mother respondents expressed anxiety regarding the sufficiency of the food in the household and the money to buy food.
The food insecurity survey results are consistent with the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) hunger survey which showed an increase in the number of Filipinos who suffered from involuntary hunger. (NNC/PIA)