PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF NUTRITION, INC.
Headquarters: Food and Nutrition Research Institute Building
DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City
PAN Position Paper on HB No. 292
Whereas,
-
The nutrition situation has been reported to be …..
2013 NNS
Among 0 – 5 y old:
- Underweight for age at 20%, compared to 20.2-20.7% in 2003 – 2011 NNS/Updating survey
- Stunting at 30%, compared to 32.3-33.9% in 2003 – 2011 NNS/Updating survey
- Wasting at 8%, compared to 6 – 7.3% in 2003 – 2011 NNS/Updating survey
- Overweight-for-height at 5%, compared to 2.4 – 4.3% in 2003 – 2011 NNS/Updating survey
Among 5 – 10 y old:
- Underweight at 29.1%
- Stunting at 29.9%
- Wasting at 8.6%
- Overweight at 9.1%
Among 10 – 19 y old:
- Wasting at 12.4%; overweight at 8.3%, stunting at 31.5%
Diet
- Only 32% of Philippine households covered in the 2013 NNS had one-day per capita intake that met the population-weighted
Recommended Energy Intake.
- Depending on income quintile, between 62.4 (lowest quintile) – 69.8% (middle quintile) of households consume sugars and
syrups.
- The average dietary energy contribution of the sugars and syrups food groups by age group is less than 10% (up to less than 5%).
It can be implied that the contribution of sugar-sweetened beverages that fall under the sugars and syrups food group
(others in the group include table sugar and confectionaries) contribute even less than 10% (less than 5%) of total dietary
energy intake.
- Sugars and syrups do not contribute significant amount of protein and nutrients.
- Data on softdrinks consumption from the 2008 NNS show that 13% of children <5y old consume softdrinks; the proportion of
consumers increase with age (15% of 6-12y old, 24% of 13-19y old, and 25% of adults). The average figure of frequency of
consumption per day is 0.76 and the average amount (volume) per day is from 122 mL to 207 mL.
- Milk and products (some of which contain sugar) contribute 20-25% of daily intake of protein, iron and thiamin, 44 – 63% of
daily intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin and calcium, and 14% and 18% of daily intake of energy and niacin,
respectively, among children 6mos – 5 y of age.
- No analysis is provided from the available NNS data that may support the relationship of the consumption of sugar
sweetened beverages and overweight and obesity.
2. Certain sugar sweetened beverages contain added sugars in large amounts per serving portion (i.e., even exceeding the World
Health Organization recommended daily limit of sugar, or @ about 50 g or 10 tsp sugar per day per 2000 kcal requirement)
but with little nutrient value or poor nutrient density (i.e., fails to provide 10% of recommended intake per 1000 kcal requirement
for key nutrients -- protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A,vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin).In fact, excessive consumption
of sugar sweetened beverages may displace the intake of nutrient dense foods.
3. A systematic review carried out by the WHO Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Group (NUGAG) Subgroup on Diet and Health
showed:
a. An association between reduction of free sugars intake and reduced body weight, and increased intake of free sugars and a
comparable increase in body weight;
b. Children with the highest intakes of sugar sweetened beverages had a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese than
children with the lowest intakes;
c. A positive association between level of free sugars intake and dental caries, with higher rates of dental caries with free sugars
intake of more than 10% of total energy intake
4. Significant amounts of essential nutrients in equally energy-giving foods may be provided by cereals and rootcrops, as well as milk
and milk products. Although some beverages (e.g. cereal drinks, soymilk, and milks) under these food groups may be sugar
sweetened, their consumption may improve nutrient intake.
It is therefore the position of the Philippine Association of Nutrition that :
-
HB 292 should limit its scope to sugar sweetened beverages that are devoid of or a poor source of essential nutrients.This
includes sugar sweetened beverages that contain added sugars in large amounts (i.e., above 5g per 100 mL of beverage) and with
little nutrient value or poor nutrient density (i.e., fails to provide 10% of recommended intake per 1000 kcal requirement for key
nutrients -- protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A,vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin).
Justifying SSB that is devoid of or a poor source of essential nutrients as an affordable or cheaper source of dietary energy especially
for populations whose access to nutritious foods may be limited is a poor excuse for meeting dietary energy requirement.
2. A significant percentage of Filipinos consume a significant amount of softdrinks, which is one of the more commonly available
sugar-sweetened beverages.
3. Higher intake of added sugars is associated with higher energy intake, risk of overweight, dental caries and displacing intake of
nutrient dense foods.
4. A comprehensive, broader public health approach to addressing overweight and obesity should be in place, including the promotion
of diet diversity,balance and adequacy, increased physical activity in schools, communities, institutions and workplaces, and nutrition
labeling.
5. Industry should be enticed to reformulate to reduce the total added sugar content of their sugar-sweetened beverages.
6. Encourage shared analysis of National Nutrition Survey data for a more accurate picture of the nutrition situation and the contribution
of food consumption/SSB consumption and related policies to the health and nutriture of the Filipino population.
7. The House Committee that leads the sponsorship of HB 292 together with the National Nutrition Council should engage relevant
stakeholders in a forum to discuss the costs and benefits of HB 292.
Annex: Consumption of soft drinks by age groups, 2008*
Average frequency of Average usual
Percent consumer consumption among consumption (mL)**
consumers
5y old 12.8 0.69 122
6-12y old 15 0.7 166
13-19y old 24 0.76 204
Adults 25 0.76 207
* 2008 National Nutrition Survey
** Assumed 1 g = 1 mL
- Table above shows % energy contribution of food groups (including sugars and syrups --- includes sugar sweetened beverages?) and milk and products (some are sugar sweetened)
- Sugars and syrups contribute less than 10% (maybe even < 5%) of energy in all age groups (PDRI and WHO cut-off)
- Tables below show % nutrient contribution of food groups (including sugars and syrups --- includes sugar sweetened beverages?) and milk and products (some are sugar sweetened)
- Sugars and syrups do not contribute significant amount of protein and nutrients; milk and products contribute critically deficient nutrients
SIGNED by the Officers and Members of the Board during it meeting on this 14th day of January , 2017 at the Old Swiss Inn Restaurant, Somerset Olympia, Makati Ave., corner Sto. Tomas Street, Makati City.
Officers
(SGD.) LEONORA N. PANLASIGUI, RND, MSN, PhD, DPBCN
President
(SGD.) IRIS ROWENA A. BERNARDO, RND, MPH (SGD.) MARIA LOURDES A. VEGA, RND, MSN
1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President
(SGD.) MA. SOCORRO E. IGNACIO, RND, DrPh ANGELA KATHRINA C. PABLO, RND, MS Secretary Assistant Secretary
(SGD.) RHEA C. BENAVIDES-DELEON, RND (SGD.) CECILE LEAH T. BAYAGA, RND, MS
Treasurer Assistant Treasurer
(SGD.) GEMILIANO DL. ALIGUI, MD, MPH, PhD
Immediate Past President
Board Members
(SGD.) CECILIA C. SANTOS-ACUIN, MD, PhD RHODA JOY R. BUENVIAJE,
MARIO V. CAPANZANA, PhD (SGD.) MARK ANGELO R. LORENZO, RND
(SGD.) MA. REGINA A. PEDRO, RND, PhD (SGD.) JOVITA B. RAVAL, RND
(SGD.) ROLANDO T. YU, RND, MP
