Nutrition-Related Corporate Social Responsibility Programs of Selected Corporations in the Philippines

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition being a multi-faceted problem, with causes cutting across a number of sectors
(WFP, 2014) requires a combination of effort and programs to effectively be addressed. Many corporations
have embarked on programs that can contribute to the reduction of malnutrition.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe and analyze the nutrition-related Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) Programs of six corporations and their contribution to effort to the reduction of malnutrition.

Methods: This study used a pretested questionnaire in data collection by self-administered and interviewprocesses of representatives from six corporations. Data was analyzed by profiling and characterizing the CSR programs according to five parameters and the programs' contribution to nutrition-improvement.

Results: Corporations in the food and beverage industry implements the most number of nutrition related CSR programs and are mostly focused on nutrition-specific interventions. The corporations were found to
implement programs that are appropriate and effective.

Conclusion: The CSR programs have the capacity to contribute on nutrition improvement by being able to
address some of the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition.