The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public that consuming unhealthy food and lack of physical activity can increase a person’s risk of developing obesity.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire made the statement after the study of the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) found that obesity rates among Filipino adults and children have increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Not just from DOST, even reports from the WHO (World Health Organization) for the past two years of the pandemic, na tumaas talaga rates ng obesity (that obesity rates have really increased) both in adults and children in the country,” she said in a press briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

“So, ang main precursors or reasons natin during this time of the pandemic, lahat tayo na-lockdown during that time, wala tayong chance para lumabas at mag-exercise (The main precursor or reasons during this time of the pandemic, we were all on lockdown, we don't have a chance to go out and exercise),” she said.

“Nagkaroon tayo ng mas maraming online order for food na naging mas convenient for families na hindi na makapagluto, oorder na lang mayat-maya ng mga pagkain (We have had more online orders for food, becoming more convenient for families to frequently order food) which we know, we cannot really oversee and regulate yung content ng pagkain na yan (the contents of these food), especially among children,” she added.

Based on the DOST-FNRI’s 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey, the obesity rate among children aged zero to five was at 3.9 percent, while 14 percent of children aged five to 10 are considered obese. Also, 10 percent of adults aged 20 to 59 were obese.

Vergeire advised the public to eat healthy food to avoid obesity. “Kailangan ang mga nanay monitoring ang mga pagkain ng ating mga bata, especially on calories,” she said.

People should also observe proper diet, get good quality sleep, and engage in physical activities. People should also avoid vices such as drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking, said Vergeire.

“This is a comprehensive strategy that would not just focus on the diet of the individual but has to do with all of the factors that affect a person to become obese,” said Vergeire.

“Hopefully, magtulong-tulong po tayong lahat kasi po ang obesity ay (let's all help each other because obesity is a) precursor to diabetes, heart diseases, stroke at iba pang (and other) non-communicable disease,” she added.