FrieslandCampina sounds alarm over malnutrition across Southeast Asia
17 Jun 2022 --- Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies are a “huge challenge” children in Southeast Asia are currently facing, according to a FrieslandCampina study. The findings call for a systematic approach in tackling the “triple burden” of malnutrition.
“If children don’t get the nutrition they need, they won’t grow and develop properly. It could therefore also have an impact on their future lives,” Dr. Ilse Tan-Khouw, nutrition expert and research and development lead of the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys’ second study (SEANUTS II), tells NutritionInsight.
The research was carried out in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam between 2019 to 2021, and included almost 14,000 children aged six months to 12 years.
The “triple burden”
Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity make up what SEANUTS II calls the “triple burden” of malnutrition. The study found that three facets of malnutrition can exist simultaneously, such as when a child consumes only new nutrient foods at a young age and higher fat content, low-quality foods later in life.
Tan-Khouw explains that this “can occur in one household or even in a single individual over time.” Furthermore, she says that this type of malnutrition creates a vicious cycle that can be passed down throughout generations.
“If children are malnourished now, there is a bigger chance that this pattern will be repeated with their own children,” she says.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released grim report addressing malnutrition on global and future scale. The report states that one in two people will be malnourished by 2025 and an estimated 40 million children will suffer from obesity.
Effects of malnutrition
Micronutrient deficiencies can cause stunting and anemia.
Many children included in the study were experiencing a variety of micronutrient deficiencies and their effects, including anemia, stunting and obesity. The study revealed that deficiency of vitamin D was found in 84% of the children, and 70% suffered from calcium deficiency.
“Micronutrients such as calcium and vitamin D are important for the growth and development of bones. In addition, vitamin D is an important nutrient for supporting the functioning of the immune system.”
Cases of stunting and anemia were prevalent in younger children, with more cases of overweight and obesity in older children, the study reveals.
Previous studies have shown that micronutrient deficiencies can have even more broad-reaching effects. A recent paper took into account 19 studies showing that vitamin D regulates melatonin production, supports circadian rhythm and promotes restful sleep. Another study revealed that taking daily doses of vitamin D could reduce cancer death rates by at least 13%.
Calls for government action
The report states that action must be taken to improve food security and increase the availability of healthy foods. However, that includes more than just educating families on the importance of healthy eating. 
There is a need for affordable and nutrient rich foods in Southeast Asia.
“It is not just nutrition and health education. Conferring knowledge will not be able to translate to behavior if the families are not able to afford nutritious food,” says Tan- Khouw.
“There are many factors involved in triple burden. The best way to resolve malnutrition is probably a systemic, integral approach, which requires commitment from the government and private sector.”
The report states that FrieslandCampina will use the results of this study to help them create “better and more affordable products to help meet the nutritional needs and alleviate the nutrition inequity in these areas.”
By William Bradford Nichols
