The Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) has released the results of the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS). The survey provides essential information about food sources, child care, and maternal health and protection.
The key findings shared with the public revealed a combination of progress and ongoing challenges in the country's efforts to improve nutrition.
According to the report, most Filipino households continue to rely on traditional food sources, such as "sari-sari" stores (community sundry stores) and wet markets. Nearly every household in both urban and rural areas sources its food from these community outlets. Although supermarkets and online sellers are becoming more popular this days, they are still secondary options due to cost considerations and limited accessibility in the communities.
Interestingly, about two out of five households gather food from farms, rivers, or the sea at least a few times each week while nutrition and sanitation are the top priorities for Filipino shoppers.
However, as food prices rise, many still budget modestly, spending between PhP100 and PhP500 per visit to traditional stores and organic sources. This is in contrast with buying food from grocery stores which tends to be more expensive, with households spending over PhP1,000 per visit.
In an interview, Dr. Mildred O. Guirindola, Chief Science Research Specialist at DOST-FNRI, emphasized the importance of strengthening policies that shape the household food environment, particularly those related to the sale and availability of food items.
“Nakita nga natin na napaka-importante ng polisiya na ma-improve ang ating food environment. Wala namang problema kung sa sari-sari stores tayo bumibili, pero sana i-improve natin kung ano ba ‘yong mga food items na p’wede nating mabili sa sari-sari store. So, it’s now time siguro, why not maging conduit sila ng masusustansyang pagkain.”
(We have seen the importance of improving the policies that shape our food environment. While there is nothing wrong with buying from sari-sari stores, we should focus on enhancing the types of food items available in these stores. Perhaps it is time to consider making them a channel for healthier food options.)
The 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) Food Consumption Survey revealed that the average Filipino household's daily food intake primarily consists of rice (35.7%), vegetables (14.5%), and fish (10.8%). Rice remains the main source of energy, contributing to 58.0% of the total energy intake for most Filipinos. However, the consumption of fruits, corn, root crops, tubers, dried beans, nuts, and legumes remains low.
On a positive note, in 2023, more households met their requirements for energy, protein, iron, niacin, and riboflavin compared to the 2018–2019 data.
Examining income levels, poorer households depend more heavily on rice, indicating that lower-income families rely significantly on this staple food. In contrast, households in higher socioeconomic groups consume more fish, meat, and poultry products, which reflects greater access to animal-based protein sources. While fruit and vegetable intake is relatively similar across all income groups, poorer households actually consume more vegetables than wealthier ones.
Regarding residence, urban households tend to eat more cereal products, meat, poultry, and milk, whereas rural households consume more rice, fish, vegetables, corn, and sugary foods.
Unfortunately, food waste remains a significant issue. In 2023, despite being a staple food, rice, vegetables, and fish were among the most wasted foods. There was a notable increase in plate waste, with households discarding an average of 53 grams more food per day compared to 2018–2019. Additionally, rural households were found to waste more food than their urban counterparts, particularly rice, corn, and vegetables.
According to Dr. Eva A. Goyena, Senior Science Research Specialist at DOST-FNRI, rice and vegetables make up the majority of food consumed in Filipino households—and unfortunately, they also account for a large portion of food waste. She explained that common cooking and preparation habits contribute significantly to this issue, making food wastage a persistent problem in many homes.
“Kasi base sa result, tumaas lalo ‘yong platewaste. Actually, yung survey namin is just platewaste. Hindi pa po ito nabibilang yung total food waste like ‘yong nabulok, na-spoil, hindi. Ito ‘yong mga natira sa plato na p’wede sanang kainin pero itinapon lang or ‘di kaya pinakain sa kanilang mga alaga. So, tumaas ‘yong platewaste natin, at nakakabahala ito kasi alam po natin na ‘yong pagkain na ‘yan na instead po sana makapagbigay ng nutrients ay nasasayang lang,” she said.
(Based on recent findings, plate waste has significantly increased. It’s important to note that our survey focused solely on plate waste, which refers to food left uneaten that could still have provided nutrients but was thrown away or given to pets. This increase in plate waste is concerning, especially since it does not account for total food waste, such as spoiled or rotten food.)
According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) Food Consumption Survey, Filipinos across all age groups are not consuming enough to meet their Recommended Energy Intake (REI). Iron deficiency is particularly problematic, especially among pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The average intake of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C is also low across nearly all age groups, with the exception of infants and preschoolers. This results in many individuals failing to meet their daily nutrient needs. Protein deficiency is another concern, particularly among pregnant and lactating women.
When we look at the dietary habits of Filipinos, well-milled rice remains the primary source of energy and essential nutrients like protein, iron, and calcium for almost all age groups. The exception is infants and preschool children, who predominantly rely on various types of milk as their main source of nutrients. For vitamin A, pork liver and chicken liver are key sources for most Filipinos, while malunggay (moringa) leaves and saba bananas provide the primary sources of vitamin C. Infants and preschoolers typically obtain their vitamin C from milk and dairy products.
Declining breastfeeding and the need to improve feeding quality
Breastfeeding rates are declining, and there is still a need for improvement in feeding quality. The 2023 NNS on Infant and Young Child Feeding shows that 61.2% of infants were breastfed within the first hour after birth, and about 50.4% of infants under six months were exclusively breastfed. However, both early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding rates have decreased compared to previous years. As infants grow, 53.3% continue to be breastfed for one year, while 40.9% continue breastfeeding for two years. Additionally, 17.7% of infants were given pre-lacteal feeds, or foods and liquids other than breastmilk, shortly after birth.
On a positive note, complementary feeding practices have improved in 2023. About 84.3% of children were given complementary foods at the appropriate age, 93.3% met the minimum number of meals per day, and 14.5% met the required food diversity. However, only 13.9% of children received a minimum acceptable diet, meaning they met both the diversity and frequency standards necessary for proper growth and development.
Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghari of the National Nutrition Council expressed concern that over 50% of pregnant women across all age groups are not meeting the acceptable energy requirements. She emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address these urgent issues.
Iodized Salt: Known, but not widely used within households
When it comes to iodized salt, although awareness is high, its usage is not. The 2023 NNS found that more than half of Filipino households (52.2%) rely on rock salt, with higher usage among the poorest households (58.4%). Rock salt is primarily purchased from markets (45.4%), while fine salt is more often bought in supermarkets (20.7%). Although 74.8% of households are aware of iodized salt, only 54.7% of those who know about it actually use it.
When asked about iodized salt, meal planners described it as cleaned or refined (56.2%), beneficial for health (25.0%), helpful in preventing goiter (16.1%), containing added iodine (15.2%), good for brain health (2.6%), and beneficial for pregnant mothers (0.6%). However, only 34.9% of households used adequately iodized salt (at least 15 ppm), with a slightly higher usage in urban areas (37.2%) compared to rural areas (32.6%). Testing revealed that only 30.4% of rock salt samples were adequately iodized, while 72.7% of fine salt samples had sufficient iodine levels.
Mental health struggles linked to age, wealth, and nutrition
The 2023 NNS results also highlighted mental health struggles linked to age, wealth, and nutrition. Older teenagers aged 16 to 17.9 years exhibit a higher likelihood of experiencing poor mental well-being compared to their younger peers. Both the poorest and richest teens are at increased risk, indicating a U-shaped trend—where those who are either undernourished or overnourished are more prone to mental health issues. Among adults, the highest rates of poor mental well-being are found in working-age individuals aged 50 to 59.9 and those aged 80 and above. Additionally, poverty and food insecurity are closely associated with poor mental health in these age groups.
2 in 10 Pinoy adults are prediabetic
Also in the survey, 2 out of every 10 Filipino adults aged 20 to 59 are prediabetic. This means they have high blood sugar levels that could lead to type 2 diabetes. The condition is more prevalent among men than women.
The survey also revealed that 7.5% of adults already have very high blood sugar levels, with higher rates observed in urban areas compared to rural regions.
Ma. Stephanie Parani, Senior Science Research Specialist at the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), warns that these health issues are linked to poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other unhealthy habits. She urged Filipinos to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating more fruits and vegetables, limiting fat and cholesterol intake, staying active, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Parani also emphasized the need to monitor the nutritional quality of food sold in stores, offices, and schools, and to strengthen public health efforts at the community level to prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
Improved cholesterol levels but seniors remain at risk
It also indicated in the report that high cholesterol levels are more common among older adults, while younger adults tend to have higher levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. Both age groups displayed a significant number of individuals with low levels of HDL-cholesterol, which is often referred to as “good” cholesterol. On a positive note, the survey showed a decrease in the overall number of people with abnormal blood lipid levels in 2023.
Call to Action: A healthier future for all Filipinos
The DOST-FNRI highlighted the urgency of promoting healthier diets, enhancing nutrition education, and implementing stronger food policies based on these findings. Food manufacturers and canteens must ensure the nutritional quality of their products by reducing excess fat, sugar, salt, and harmful additives.
Stronger collaboration across sectors—including government, private companies, schools, health providers, and communities—is necessary to address these pressing health issues. Evidence-based programs that promote dietary diversity, physical activity, and better food systems are essential for the country to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“Malnutrition and health problems are not standalone issues. They are not the responsibility of any one agency alone. This is a shared responsibility across various agencies and sectors. As they say, it’s a whole-of-government approach. We call upon the private sector to foster stronger partnerships with the public sector, not only to conduct meaningful studies of our data but also to support, fund, and implement significant and effective programs, especially in local government units and areas where they are most needed by the Filipino population. Our goal is to improve nutrition and enhance the health conditions of the country,” concluded Atty. Lucieden Raz, Officer-in-Charge of DOST-FNRI, during the 2025 National Nutrition Summit held in Makati City.
The unveiling of the 2023 National Nutrition Survey results is an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (By Abigael S. Omaña, DOST-STII)
