22/10/2025
𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗙𝗡𝗥𝗜’𝘀 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀
One in ten or 11.7 percent (%) of older persons 60 years old and above suffer from chronic energy deficiency (CED), according to the most recent National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in 2023.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines CED as a steady state of energy balance. It is a condition where an individual’s energy intake equals the energy expenditure, despite the low body weight and low body energy stores.
Older adults are more susceptible to poor nutritional status as physiological, cognitive, and social changes occur with aging.
Among older adults, this is due to a variety of factors, including reduced appetite, swallowing difficulties, and household economic and food insecurity status.
According to the 2023 NNS, CED equally affects both elderly males at 11.8% and females at 11.6%. However, those living in rural areas are disproportionately affected, with 13.9% of older adults experiencing CED, compared to 9.6% in urban areas.
Physical inactivity is also a concern among this age group, with more than half, or 57.3% reported as insufficiently physically active, which may significantly affect their overall health and quality of life.
Related to this, the DOST-FNRI initiated the “Healthy Aging Program for PinoY (HAPPY) Senior Citizens” in 2022 that aims to contribute to the enhancement of their quality of life through good nutrition.
A key focus of this program is determining body composition and functional capacity of older Filipinos through the DOST-FNRI Nutrition Physiology and Aging laboratory. This advanced laboratory helps generate data on how nutrition and physical activity contribute to the overall health and functionality among older Filipinos.
This program also works towards the development of one beverage and one snack food that use mature green tomatoes (MGTs) powder which contains Gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. The GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits neurotransmission, which consequently promotes relaxation.
The project team previously tested the use of MGT powder on various food products, such as biscuits, chicken nuggets, skinless longganisa, and tomato sauce. Additionally, experiments were conducted to develop a high-protein beverage intended as an enteral feeding formula.
Enteral feeding formulas are specialized liquid nutritional products formulated to deliver nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal tract. They are intended for patients with a functioning digestive system who are unable to meet their nutritional needs through oral intake. Common indications include prolonged undernutrition, head or neck trauma, or pre- or post-surgical conditions that impair normal eating.
The country’s aging population faces multiple health challenges. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach to improving access to nutritious food and addressing the underlying social, economic, and healthcare barriers.
The DOST-FNRI actively promotes backyard gardening to help improve household food security and encourage self-sufficiency in food production.
The Institute also advocates for the strengthening of health and nutrition programs focused on the elderly to address CED and other age-related health concerns. Key initiatives include regular monitoring of their nutritional status, routine blood pressure measurements in local health centers, and continuous provision of maintenance medicines.
Moreover, nutrition education among elderly and their caregivers is also crucial for emphasizing the importance of increasing food intake while also maintaining moderation, balance, and variety in every meal.
The DOST-FNRI is committed to advancing nutrition and health solutions that support the well-being of all Filipinos, particularly the elderly. Through research and targeted health programs, the Institute seeks to address critical challenges like chronic energy deficiency to help improve the lives of older Filipinos.
𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗙𝗡𝗥𝗜’𝘀 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀
One in ten or 11.7 percent (%) of older persons 60 years old and above suffer from chronic energy deficiency (CED), according to the most recent National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in 2023.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines CED as a steady state of energy balance. It is a condition where an individual’s energy intake equals the energy expenditure, despite the low body weight and low body energy stores.
Older adults are more susceptible to poor nutritional status as physiological, cognitive, and social changes occur with aging.
Among older adults, this is due to a variety of factors, including reduced appetite, swallowing difficulties, and household economic and food insecurity status.
According to the 2023 NNS, CED equally affects both elderly males at 11.8% and females at 11.6%. However, those living in rural areas are disproportionately affected, with 13.9% of older adults experiencing CED, compared to 9.6% in urban areas.
Physical inactivity is also a concern among this age group, with more than half, or 57.3% reported as insufficiently physically active, which may significantly affect their overall health and quality of life.
Related to this, the DOST-FNRI initiated the “Healthy Aging Program for PinoY (HAPPY) Senior Citizens” in 2022 that aims to contribute to the enhancement of their quality of life through good nutrition.
A key focus of this program is determining body composition and functional capacity of older Filipinos through the DOST-FNRI Nutrition Physiology and Aging laboratory. This advanced laboratory helps generate data on how nutrition and physical activity contribute to the overall health and functionality among older Filipinos.
This program also works towards the development of one beverage and one snack food that use mature green tomatoes (MGTs) powder which contains Gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. The GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that inhibits neurotransmission, which consequently promotes relaxation.
The project team previously tested the use of MGT powder on various food products, such as biscuits, chicken nuggets, skinless longganisa, and tomato sauce. Additionally, experiments were conducted to develop a high-protein beverage intended as an enteral feeding formula.
The country’s aging population faces multiple health challenges. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach to improving access to nutritious food and addressing the underlying social, economic, and healthcare barriers.
The DOST-FNRI actively promotes backyard gardening to help improve household food security and encourage self-sufficiency in food production.
The Institute also advocates for the strengthening of health and nutrition programs focused on the elderly to address CED and other age-related health concerns. Key initiatives include regular monitoring of their nutritional status, routine blood pressure measurements in local health centers, and continuous provision of maintenance medicines.
Moreover, nutrition education among elderly and their caregivers is also crucial for emphasizing the importance of increasing food intake while also maintaining moderation, balance, and variety in every meal.
The DOST-FNRI is committed to advancing nutrition and health solutions that support the well-being of all Filipinos, particularly the elderly. Through research and targeted health programs, the Institute seeks to address critical challenges like chronic energy deficiency to help improve the lives of older Filipinos.
