Nearly half of Filipino adults are living with obesity

Doctors say it’s more than just eating too much or exercising too little.

Nearly half of Filipino adults are living with obesity, prompting health experts to call for earlier intervention and a change from treating weight gain as simply and solely a lifestyle issue.

During the Novo Nordisk Southeast Asia Obesity Summit in Makati City on July 4, doctors from the Philippines, India, and Australia said obesity should be recognized as a chronic disease requiring long-term holistic care.

Their warning comes as the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute reported that obesity among Filipinos aged 20 to 59 rose from 39.8% in 2023 to 44.5% in 2025.

Obesity is commonly assessed using the Body Mass Index, which measures a patient’s weight relative to height. For Asian populations, including Filipinos, a BMI of 27.5 or higher is already classified as obese. Doctors also evaluate waist circumference, body fat distribution, and obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease to guide treatment.

The specialists stressed that obesity is far more complex than simply eating too much or exercising too little. Genetics, biology, environment, mental health, and even politics influence a person’s risk, making obesity a medical condition that requires professional treatment rather than stigma.

Easy access to highly processed food, increasingly sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, poor sleep, certain medications, and limited access to healthier food or medical care can all contribute to unhealthy weight gain over time.

“Obesity is an emergency, but it’s in slow motion,” said endocrinologist Dr. Sanjay Kalra.

“If a patient is going for a pregnancy check-up, we need to talk about obesity. If the child is going for a well-baby check-up, again we need to talk about obesity. If you’re going to get treated for heart disease or kidney disease, you need to talk about obesity,” he added.

Metabolic health specialist Dr. Mark Mellor said obesity is often the underlying driver of illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease, yet patients are frequently treated for those conditions separately instead of addressing the root cause.

“Obesity is just the upstream driver of those downstream consequences. This is a societal problem, and we need strength of leadership to direct changes not just in healthcare,” Mellor said.

Dr. Marjorie Ramos, head of the Section of Endocrinology at St. Luke’s Medical Center–Quezon City, said successful treatment should not be measured by the number of kilograms lost.

“Weight loss may be a good step, but ultimately, the goal is to reduce the cardio-metabolic complications brought about by the disease,” she said.

The experts also cautioned against fad diets and self-medicating with weight-loss drugs, stressing that obesity management should combine medical guidance, healthier lifestyles, and long-term support.

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