04/03/2026
𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲!
Obesity is a chronic, complex disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation that can impair health, increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. It can also affect bone health, reproductive health, and overall quality of life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, indicating excessive body fat relative to height. A result from an energy imbalance, where calorie intake exceeds energy expenditure over time. This imbalance is a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, an increase in the consumption of energy-dense foods high in fat and free sugars, and a decrease in physical activity.
There are two types of obesity: android obesity, often referred to as "apple-shaped," where fat accumulates in the abdominal or trunk region. This type is more common in men and is higher risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases due to increased visceral fat. Gynoid obesity, or "pear-shaped," occurs when fat accumulates around the hips and thighs, more common in women.
The 2023 National Nutrition Survey findings reveal the prevalence of overweight and obesity across different age groups in the Philippines. Among school-aged children aged 5 to 10 years old, the national prevalence is 12.9%; in adolescents aged 10.08 to 19 years, the national prevalence is 12.5%. For adults aged 20 to 59 years, the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity is significantly higher at 57.1%. Similarly, among older adults (60 years and above), the national prevalence stands at 51.5%. The obesity prevalence of adults and older adults are considered as very high public health significance.
These findings indicate a rising public health concern over obesity, particularly in urban areas. While some forms of malnutrition are declining, obesity remains a growing issue. This calls for interventions that promote healthier diets and active lifestyles across all age groups.
To prevent and control the growing problem on overnutrition, the WHO counters with the following guidelines:
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁:
✔ Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods, consume at least 400 g (five servings) per day of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains to support overall health.
✔ Keep free sugars to less than 10% of the total energy intake, this is approximately 50 g (or 12 teaspoons) per day. Free sugars include those added to foods and drinks and those naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices, and fruit concentrates.
✔ Manage fat consumption wisely, less than 30% of total energy intake should come from fats. Prioritize unsaturated fats from sources such as fish, avocados, nuts, canola oil, and olive oil. Reduce saturated fat (found in fatty meats, butter, palm and coconut oil, cream, and lard) intake to less than 10% of total energy. Limit trans fats to less than 1% of total energy intake, as they increase the risk of heart disease.
✔ Control salt consumption below 5 g (one teaspoon) per day to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and related health issues. Use iodized salt to ensure sufficient iodine intake.
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲:
✔ Adopt healthier eating habits: instead of binge-eating, focus on three balanced meals a day or eat smaller, well-portioned meals throughout the day to help control hunger. Watch portion sizes and avoid huge servings to prevent overeating. Choose low-calorie, nutrient-dense snacks, such as fresh fruit, nuts, or yogurt.
✔ Engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risks of non-communicable diseases. As lack of physical activity contributes to the increase in obesity.
✔ Limit or avoid alcohol consumption, as it contains 7 kcal per gram, which can contribute to excess body fat and weight gain.
Obesity is highly preventable, increasing awareness of modifiable risk factors and working toward healthy lifestyle behaviors, individuals can achieve long-term weight management. The key to success is achieving an energy balance between calories consumed and expended.
As the lead agency on food and nutrition policy, the National Nutrition Council (NNC), together with UNICEF and WHO, urges the stakeholders to increase funding for obesity prevention and strengthen food policies, including front-of-package labeling, stricter sugar regulations, and tighter food marketing laws. Policies must ban unhealthy food in schools, curb misleading advertising, and ensure public food programs prioritize nutrition and sustainability. Investments in climate-resilient and healthy food environments are also critical to ensuring food security and protecting children from malnutrition. When food systems provide safe, nutritious, and sustainable options, every child has the chance to survive and thrive.
NNC will ensure that strategic actions reflected in the Strategic Plan in Addressing Obesity and Other Metabolic Disorders will be implemented and monitored. By doing so, one of the target outcomes of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), halting the increase in obesity in all age groups, will be achieved.
(Project Development Officer I Candice Margarette Mongas / [email protected] / 09631091098).
References:
DOST-FNRI (2024). Halfway Point to 2030: Key findings of the 2023 National Nutrition Survey.
Levy, S. M., & Nessen, M. (2024). Obesity. MSD Manual Consumer Version. Retrieved from
https://www.msdmanuals.com/.../obesity-and-the.../obesity
Ma, W., et al. (2023). Association between android fat mass, gynoid fat mass and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in adults: NHANES 2003–2007. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1055223
World Health Organization (2025). Stronger food policies needed to combat obesity in the Philippines. Retrived from https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/04-03-2025-stronger-food-policies-needed-to-combat-obesity-in-the-philippines
World Health Organization (2020). Healthy Diet. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/news.../fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet
World Health Organization (n.d.). Obesity. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity
World Health Organization (2024). The challenge of obesity. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/.../fac.../item/the-challenge-of-obesity
