The number of Filipino adults who are overweight or obese could rise to 44.8 million by 2040 if current trends continue, a recent study conducted by the Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity in the Philippines (EpiCOb-PH) showed.

Findings from the EpiCOb-PH study revealed that the country is already facing a rapidly expanding obesity burden, with millions of Filipinos at increased risk of chronic diseases.

“Obesity is no longer just a lifestyle issue. It is a major public health and economic challenge that affects millions of Filipinos,” health economist Dr. Madeleine de Rosas-Valera said during a forum in Mandaluyong City on Monday, March 9.

“Our analysis shows that the health consequences and economic costs associated with obesity are substantial and will continue to grow if comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies are not implemented.”

The study estimates that by 2025, around 29.5 million Filipino adults, or about 41 percent of the country’s adult population, will already be classified as overweight or obese based on Asia-Pacific body mass index (BMI) thresholds.

Researchers found that only about 10 percent of people living with obesity may remain free from related complications over their lifetime, while most are likely to develop at least one chronic condition linked to the disease.

Beyond prevalence, the research also highlighted the significant health burden associated with obesity.

The study estimates that obesity will result in 5.3 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually by 2025, reflecting years of life lost due to premature death and years lived with disability.

When related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are included, it noted that the total burden increases to 13.6 million DALYs lost each year.

“Quantifying the epidemiological and economic burden of obesity allows policymakers to understand the scale of the challenge and the urgency of addressing it,” Dr. John Paul Caesar R. delos Trinos, the chief scientific officer of metaHealth Insights and Innovations, said.

“Evidence-based policies and coordinated action across sectors will be critical to preventing further escalation of the disease burden in the coming decades.”

In a separate press briefing held at Manila Prince on Tuesday, March 10, Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO) president, Dr. Luzviminda Katigbak, underscored the need to recognize obesity as a disease.

“Obesity is a disease because it is a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and treatable multifactorial neurobehavioral disease, wherein an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic, biochemical, and psychosocial health consequences,” she said.

She noted that obesity is not a lifestyle choice and should not be viewed merely as a “comorbidity” or a “risk factor” for other conditions.

Katigbak advised the public to adopt healthier lifestyles, including eating a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, getting enough sleep, managing stress, consulting healthcare providers, and supporting community efforts that promote access to healthier food and opportunities for physical activity.

Meanwhile, the PASOO president said healthcare providers should routinely measure patients’ weight and height, calculate body mass index (BMI), and take abdominal circumference as part of a comprehensive assessment while discussing healthy lifestyle practices.

She added that clinicians should consider the various risk factors for obesity when making a diagnosis, refer patients to evidence-based programs, discuss available treatments for excess weight, and use respectful, non-stigmatizing language in weight-related discussions.