Most Filipinos are not aware that obesity is a chronic disease. Many think that obesity is just a cosmetic concern caused by the laziness or the refusal to “eat less” of the individual living with it. In actuality, obesity is more complex than that.

Obesity, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body that elevates the risk of common non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and various forms of cancer. It is a chronic disease that may be caused by a variety of factors such as genetic, psychological, socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors.

In the Philippines, obesity is a serious health concern especially as it is strongly associated with the development of non-communicable diseases which are the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability in the country. Based on the recent National Nutrition Survey, it was revealed that the prevalence of obesity in the Philippines increased from 20.2 percent in 1998 to 37.2 percent in 2018. This means that three in ten adult Filipinos are overweight and obese.

The Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO), a local organization that was organized to help address the different concerns in the prevention and treatment of obesity in the Philippines, released eleven dietary and lifestyle recommendations for obesity prevention. These recommendations are:

• Promote breastfeeding from birth to 6 months of age.
• Eat a variety of nutrient-dense food and food rich in calcium and fiber.
• Limit intake of food and beverages high in added sugar.
• Limit the overall intake of calorie-dense food.
• Consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. Consume fruits and vegetables in every major meal.
• Eat breakfast every day.
• Portion Control with Correct Food Choices is the Key to Weight Loss.
• Participate in family meals at least 5 times per week.
• Limit eating out at restaurants especially fast-food restaurants.
• Allow a maximum of 2 hours per day screen time.
• Be physically active. Promote moderate to vigorously physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day at most days of the week.

While obesity is manageable, treatment is very challenging as it involves major lifestyle modification and behavioral changes. However, with determination, perseverance, and total support from family members and friends, obesity can be avoided or treated.

On August 21, 1999, former President Joseph Estrada signed Proclamation No. 162 declaring the first week of September of every year as Obesity Prevention and Awareness Week in the Philippines to intensify the knowledge and awareness of the increasingly recognized risks of obesity. Moreover, former President Estrada appointed the PASOO and the Department of Health (DOH) to spearhead this annual campaign. #DAFLendero