Obesity cases steadily on the rise among Filipinos — gov’t survey

MANILA, Philippines – More and more Filipinos suffered from obesity in 2025, raising national concern about a malnutrition crisis that could gradually shift from undernutrition to overnutrition.

Survey findings of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) showed that the prevalence of obesity among Filipino adults aged 20 to 59 years old rose from 39.8% in 2023 to 44.5% in 2025.

Based on Body Mass Index (BMI) classifications from 384 sampled households throughout the country, they found that obesity is more common among women (50.1%), urban residents (48.3%), and those in the richest wealth quantile (57.8%).

Furthermore, obesity is higher in the National Capital Region at 52.7%, the Cordillera Administrative Region at 50.6%, and Central Luzon at 49.6%.

People who are obese have a higher risk of acquiring other serious health problems, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, among others.

The trends also indicate that the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency or long-term undernutrition among Filipinos aged 20 years and above decreased from 13.9% in 1993 to 7.2% in 2025, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity gradually rose from 16.6% in 1993 to 43.1% in 2025.

This reveals a steady increase in overnutrition, or excessive nutrient intake, which is now rivaling undernutrition as the leading nutritional issue for Filipinos.

The FNRI gathered the data through its 2025 Updating Survey, done two years after the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, which is conducted every five years.

Obesity in children

The FNRI stressed that overweight and obesity cases can begin in childhood. Out of the survey population, 3.8% of children 0 to 59 months old were overweight-for-height. Children aged 5 to 10 have an overweight and obesity prevalence of 8.6%, while 10- to 19-year-olds have a prevalence of 15.6%.

Researchers pointed to poor diet and lifestyle as the main reasons for the rising trend.

“’Yung problema ay ’yung mga proliferation ng ating mga fast-food chains, [at] ’yung mga bata ay mas hilig sila sa mga gadgets…. So, kulang na kulang sa physical activity,” said Dr. Ma. Lilibeth Dasco, DOST-FNRI supervising science research specialist.

(The problem is the proliferation of fast-food chains, and children now are more interested in gadgets. So, there’s really a lack of physical activity.)

According to FNRI data, there was an increase in physically inactive adolescents aged 10 to 19, from 75.5% in 2023 to 77.5% in 2025. The World Health Organization says the youth within this age group need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.

To combat sedentary habits, Dasco highlighted the importance of physical education programs in schools and the role of families in promoting active lifestyles at home.

She added: “‘Yung mga simpleng gawain sa bahay, basta gumagalaw-galaw ka, ‘yun ay napaka-importante. Kasi ang risk natin sa mga noncommunicable diseases, as early as 30s, nagde-develop na. Nakita na natin na very at risk na sila sa mga gano’ng sakit.”

(Even doing simple household chores and basically just moving are very important. That’s because our risk for noncommunicable diseases can develop as early as our 30s. We’ve seen that the youth are already at risk for such diseases.)

Dr. Eva Goyena, DOST-FNRI senior science research specialist, emphasized that eating a lot does not equate to eating healthily, but a poor diet.

“‘Yung poor diet could either result in stunting, kasi kulang ang sustansya ng kinakain mo, or overnutrition…. ‘Pag poor diet ’yan, mataas lang ang calories niya, pero ’yung mga nutrients, bitamina, at mineral na kailangan do’n sa pagkain na ’yan ay kulang,” Goyena said. 

(A poor diet could either result in stunting, because the food you eat lacks nutrients, or overnutrition. When you have a poor diet, your calorie intake may be high, but the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in the food you eat are inadequate.)

Unhealthy, yet affordable and accessible

Being surrounded by unhealthy food that are also affordable is another major factor in obesity.

Obesity is consistent in urban areas and among the richest across age groups because they have easy access to all types of food. But Goyena noted that obesity is also increasing, albeit slightly, in rural areas.

“It’s the food environment that shapes, that influences ‘yung ating food choices…. Kung ano ‘yung nakikita at madaling mabili at magkakasya sa budget ng pamilya, definitely doon talaga bibili,” Goyena said.

(It’s the food environment that shapes, that influences our food choices. Whatever’s visible and easy to buy and fits into the family budget, that’s definitely what people will buy.)

For DOST-FNRI Deputy Director Lucieden Raz, having the right information is key.

“It boils down to training, education — educating them on food choices, that they choose food not only what is applicable, not only what they can afford because they are rich,” she said.

Dr. Mildred Guirindola, DOST-FNRI chief science research specialist, also emphasized the need for legislation that would create a healthier food environment.

There are more than 20 pending bills on the matter in the House of Representatives as of writing, with some proposing front-of-pack warning labels, which the DOST also recommends. – Rappler.com