Proclamation No. 162 signed on Aug. 21, 1999, by former President Joseph Estrada declares the first week of September of every year as Obesity Prevention Awareness Week. Obesity is noted as one of the country’s serious health problems hence the declaration is hereby intensified to increase the knowledge and awareness of the public on the rising recognized risks of obesity.
Obesity is a complex disease involving an abnormal or excessive amount of body fat. According to World Health Organization (WHO), body mass index (BMI) is determined by using height (in meters) and weight (in kilograms) which is quantified by dividing the weight by the square of height (kg/m2). BMI greater than or equal to 25 is interpreted as overweight while a BMI equal to or greater than 30 is considered obese. People with obesity are more likely to develop several potentially serious health problems, including heart disease and strokes, type 2 diabetes, cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney and prostate, digestive problems, gynecological and sexual problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Based on the latest Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of DOST-FNRI, the prevalence for overweight and obese at the national level among preschool children was 4.0%. Among school-age children, 5-10 years old, the prevalence is more than doubled among preschool children at 11.6% or about 1 in every 10 school-age children. Among the adolescent Filipinos, about 1 in every 10 adolescents or 11.6% national prevalence were overweight/obese. Based on BMI, 28.8% are overweight and 9.6% are obese among adults, 20-59 years old. Among the elderly, 60 years old and above, the prevalence of overweight was 24.7% and obese is 6.3% at the national level. On the other hand, the 2020 Regional Nutrition Situation results show improving trends from 2018-2020 for overweight and obesity from 2.54 to 2.19.
A combination of causes and contributing factors contribute to weight gain and usually results in obesity. The genes you inherit from your parents may affect the amount of body fat you store, and where that fat is distributed. Likewise, family members tend to share similar eating and activity habits. In addition, a diet that is high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full of fast food, and loaded with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions contribute to significant weight gain. Moreover, a sedentary lifestyle like spending several hours in front of a computer, tablet, and phone screens is highly associated with weight gain. Some people increase body weight because of certain diseases and medication. Social and economic issues are also linked to obesity as well as age due to hormonal changes. Other factors include pregnancy, quitting smoking, lack of sleep, stress, microbiome, and previous attempts to lose weight.
To prevent obesity, it is advised to follow the 10 Kumainments and Pinggang Pinoy. These are some of the helpful tools that have been developed to inform everybody of the benefits of eating right, balanced, and in moderation.(OIC-NPCFlores/NOILaurito)
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/programs-and-projects/news-and-announcement/769-overweight-and-obesity-is-top-nutrition-concern-in-8-metro-manila-cities-fnri-survey
