Our study explored how the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program in the Philippines, affects malnutrition in children and teens. The findings highlight both challenges and opportunities for improving child nutrition.
What We Learned
- Malnutrition Challenges: Children in the 4Ps program were more likely to experience stunting (short for their age) and overweight/obesity. These outcomes varied by location, with stunting being less common in rural areas compared to cities.
- Barriers Faced by Families: Food insecurity (lack of enough nutritious food), urban environments promoting unhealthy eating habits, cash grants not being enough for large families, misuse of program funds, stigma around nutrition, especially for teens.
- Community Solutions: Despite these challenges, parents and teachers found ways to improve child nutrition. They created school and community programs to meet the program’s requirements and support children’s well-being.
Moving Forward
To better support families and improve nutrition, the 4Ps program needs to:
- Provide solutions that match the unique needs of rural and urban areas.
- Address issues like food insecurity and ensure funds are used effectively.
- Support families with large households and educate communities about good nutrition.
Why This Matters
Programs like 4Ps are critical for addressing malnutrition, but they need to evolve to meet the challenges families face. Long-term studies are essential to find ways to make these programs more effective and ensure children grow up healthy and well-nourished.For more details, read our full study here.