DOH: Three out of 10 Filipinos are obese

QUEZON CIY — The National Nutrition Council (NNC) has observed a steady increase in the number of overweight and the obese Filipinos in the last two decades. During the kick-off ceremony of the 41st Nutrition Month on July 1, Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary and National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Ma. Bernardita Flores said that three out of every 10 Filipino adults are obese.

Citing the data from the 8th National Nutrition Survey, she said that the number of obese Filipino adults increased by 14.5 percent, from 16.6 percent in 1993 to 31.1 percent in 2013.

Among preschool children, the prevalence increased from 2 percent in 1989 to 1998 to 4.9 in 2013. For children more than five to ten years old, the prevalence decreased from 5.8 percent in 2003 to 5% in 2013.  The prevalence increased again among 10.08-19 years age group, from 5.0% in 2003 to 8.3% in 2013.

Flores said, “Addressing obesity is a very big challenge because of the complex interplay of a changing physical environment and socio economic status.”

“We need the support of the various sectors because this is not just a health concern but a societal problem. We all have a role to play in ensuring that healthy and affordable foods are available, and the work and play areas promote physical activity,” Flores added.

Flores explained that NNC chose to focus the Nutrition Month observance on the overweight and the obese to call everybody’s attention on the need to step-up current efforts to address the problem.  The region with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity among all age groups is the National Capital Region (NCR).

Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Central Luzon and Calabarzon have a prevalence of overweight children.  The regions CAR, Region 3, 4A and 6 have also high prevalence of overweight and obese adults.  The survey further revealed that wealth quintile and place of residence are also factors to high percentage of overweight and obesity.

Meanwhile, the problem of android obesity where waist and hip circumference are the weight determinants showed that female adults have high percentage of obesity and overweight at 23.1% as compared to males at 3.8%. Overweight and obesity pose serious health consequences as they are associated with acquiring non-communicable diseases (NCDS) including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, several forms of cancer and musculo-skeletal disorders, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, breathing problem.

NCDs are related to increased health care costs, decreased productivity, premature death, substantial disability and economic retardation.

With the serious threat of overweight and obesity consequences, the DOH thru the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) targets zero increase in prevalence of overweight and obesity by 2016. The PPAN recommends the promotion of a healthy lifestyle anchored on healthy eating, increased physical activity, managing stress and cessation of smoking and drinking.

The Nutrition Month is celebrated every month of July by virtue of Presidential Decree 491 of 1974. It aims to create greater awareness on the importance of good nutrition among Filipinos.

This year’s theme “Tim-bang Iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo” focuses on the problem of overweight and obesity because of their increasing problem not only in the country but in the world. (PIA-NCR)