When it comes to raising healthy children, parents often focus on serving more vegetables, limiting sugary snacks, and encouraging outdoor play. While these habits are important, one essential nutrient often doesn't receive the same attention: calcium.
Calcium plays a vital role in a child's growth and development. It helps build strong bones and teeth, supports healthy muscle function, and contributes to nerve signaling. Combined with protein and other nutrients, it also supports children's overall physical development during their growing years.
Yet many Filipino children are still not getting enough calcium in their daily diets.
According to Dr. Liezl M. Atienza, Nutritionist-Dietitian and Director of the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), approximately 94% of Filipino children are calcium deficient. The figure highlights a nutrition gap that health experts say deserves greater attention from parents, schools, communities, and policymakers.
While improving childhood nutrition requires a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods, dairy products continue to play an important role in helping children meet their daily nutritional needs.
Childhood nutrition beyond physical growth
Many parents naturally associate healthy eating with helping children grow taller or gain weight appropriately. But nutrition affects much more than height and weight.
During childhood, the body is developing rapidly. Bones become stronger, muscles grow, and the brain continues forming connections that support learning, memory, and concentration.
According to Dr. Atienza, childhood nutrition is not simply about preventing hunger. It is about giving children the opportunity to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
A child who consistently receives adequate nutrition is generally better equipped to stay active in school, participate in physical activities, and develop lifelong healthy habits.
On the other hand, poor nutrition during the early years may have lasting effects that extend into adulthood.
Understanding calcium's role in a child's development
Calcium is often associated with healthy bones, but its functions extend far beyond the skeletal system.
It helps:
- Build strong bones and teeth
- Support muscle movement
- Assist nerve function
- Help blood clot normally
- Support healthy heart function
During childhood and adolescence, bones grow rapidly. If children do not receive enough calcium while they are still building bone mass, they may not reach their maximum bone strength later in life.
This is why health experts encourage parents to include calcium-rich foods regularly rather than waiting until nutritional deficiencies develop.
Why milk remains one of the easiest sources of calcium
Although calcium can be found in many foods, milk remains one of the most convenient and nutrient-dense options for growing children.
In addition to calcium, milk naturally contains nutrients that support overall growth, including:
Calcium - supports bone and teeth development
Protein - helps build muscles and repair tissues
Phosphorus - works with calcium to strengthen bones
Potassium - supports muscle and nerve function
Vitamin B12 - helps maintain healthy blood and nerves
Because several nutrients work together, experts generally recommend obtaining nutrition from a balanced diet whenever possible.
Milk is not meant to replace fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, or whole grains. Instead, it complements a healthy eating pattern that provides children with a variety of nutrients needed for growth.
School feeding programs help bridge nutrition gaps
Not every Filipino child has access to nutritious meals every day.
For many families, financial challenges make it difficult to consistently provide foods rich in calcium and protein.
This is one reason why school nutrition programs continue to play a vital role.
Republic Act No. 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, institutionalized the School-Based Feeding Program. The initiative provides nutritious meals, including milk, to eligible learners in public schools.
Research on milk feeding initiatives by the National Dairy Authority has shown that fresh milk contributes significantly to participating children's daily calcium intake while also providing energy and protein that support healthy growth.
Programs like these do more than address hunger during school hours. They help improve children's nutritional status during critical stages of development, especially among those who may not consistently receive nutrient-rich meals at home.
Building healthier communities through partnerships
Expanding nutrition programs requires collaboration from multiple sectors.
Government agencies establish policies and funding, schools implement feeding initiatives, healthcare professionals provide nutritional guidance, while responsible private companies contribute resources, products, and expertise.
Nutrition experts believe these partnerships can help make feeding programs more sustainable while allowing more children to benefit from improved access to nutritious food.
Among the companies supporting these efforts is ABI Pascual Foods, Inc., which continues to work with partners to improve access to quality dairy products while helping strengthen the country's local dairy value chain.
According to Michael G. Tan, Board Member of ABI Pascual Foods, investing in children's nutrition today creates opportunities that extend beyond the classroom by supporting healthier families and stronger communities.
Supporting locally produced dairy also creates economic opportunities for Filipino dairy farmers and contributes to a more resilient agricultural sector.
Calcium-rich foods beyond milk
While milk remains one of the most familiar sources of calcium, parents can also include other calcium-rich foods as part of everyday meals.
Some examples include:
Milk - Excellent
Cheese - Excellent
Yogurt - Excellent
Sardines with bones - Very Good
Tofu (calcium-set) - Good
Leafy green vegetables - Moderate
Fortified cereals - Varies
Fortified soy beverages - Varies
Offering a variety of foods allows children to enjoy balanced nutrition while accommodating different tastes and dietary needs.
Parents whose children have lactose intolerance or dairy allergies should consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to identify appropriate alternatives that meet calcium requirements.
Simple ways parents can improve children's nutrition
Healthy eating habits don't need to be complicated.
Small, consistent changes often have the greatest long-term impact.
Parents can:
- Serve breakfast before school.
- Include milk or another calcium-rich food daily.
- Offer fruits instead of sugary snacks whenever possible.
- Encourage children to drink water regularly.
- Prepare balanced lunchboxes that include protein, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Make family mealtimes a regular habit.
- Encourage outdoor play and physical activity.
Rather than focusing on perfection, nutrition experts often recommend building sustainable routines that children can maintain as they grow older.
Why investing in nutrition benefits the country's future
Healthy children become healthier adults.
Children who receive proper nutrition are more likely to perform well in school, participate actively in their communities, and contribute positively to society later in life.
This is why childhood nutrition is often described as an investment rather than simply an expense.
When families, schools, government agencies, healthcare professionals, and private organizations work together, they create environments where children have greater opportunities to thrive.
While nutrition challenges cannot be solved by one food alone, ensuring that children have access to calcium-rich foods, including dairy products when appropriate, remains one practical step toward improving overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much calcium do children need?
Calcium requirements vary depending on age. School-age children generally require several hundred milligrams daily, with needs increasing during adolescence. Parents should consult healthcare professionals or refer to national dietary guidelines for age-specific recommendations.
2. Can children get enough calcium without drinking milk?
Yes. Children who cannot consume dairy may obtain calcium from fortified foods, tofu, sardines with edible bones, leafy green vegetables, and other calcium-rich foods. Medical guidance can help ensure nutritional needs are met.
3. Why is calcium important during childhood?
Childhood is the period when bones develop most rapidly. Adequate calcium intake supports bone strength, healthy teeth, muscle function, and normal body processes.
4. Are school milk programs effective?
Studies cited by nutrition experts and government agencies indicate that milk feeding programs can help improve calcium intake and contribute to better nutritional outcomes among participating children, particularly those at risk of undernutrition.
The bottom line
Helping children grow into healthy, confident adults begins with everyday choices made at home and supported by schools and communities.
A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and access to nutrient-rich foods all contribute to healthy development. Dairy products remain one practical way to help children meet their calcium and protein needs, while school nutrition initiatives continue to provide important support for learners who may otherwise struggle to access nutritious meals.
As the Philippines works toward improving child health and reducing nutrition gaps, encouraging healthy eating habits today can help build a generation that is stronger, healthier, and better prepared for the future.
