• Overview
  • Obesity prevalence
  • Trends over time
  • Population breakdowns
  • Drivers
  • Comorbidities
  • Economic impact
  • Policies
  • Contextual factors
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Obesity prevalence

Adults, 2018-2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:20-59
Sample size:159,926
Area covered:National
References:EXPANDED NATIONAL NUTRITION SURVEY: 2019 RESULTS. Available athttp://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2018-2019%20ENNS%20FACTS%20&%20FIGURES.pdf (last accessed 14.09.22)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:82821
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2013-2014

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:172,323
Area covered:National
References:8th National Nutrition Survey. https://fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/19-nutrition-statistic/175-national-nutrition-survey#8th-nns (Last accessed 28.09.20)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2003

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:11696
References:http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf (last accessed June 14th 2011)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1998

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:9299
Area covered:National
References:Data provided by the Philippean Depatment of Health, Dr C. Barbu, data reanalysed by Dr Charmaine Duante.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 1993

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:9585
References:Solon FS. Nutrition related chronic diseases in the Philippines. Makati city, Philippines: Nutrition Center of the Philippines Report Series, vol 2, No.1, cited in Reference 53
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2019

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-17
Sample size:10,175
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Philippines Factsheet 2019: Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/philippines/2019-philippines-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=7e3888af_1&download=true. Accessed: 04.10.21.
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2015

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-17
Sample size:8761
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Factsheet, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/PIH2015_fact_sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20)
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-19
Sample size:33,082
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Definitions:Not IOTF International Cut Off. WHO BMI for Age.
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2011

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-15
Sample size:5290
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Factsheet, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2011_GSHS_FS_Philippines.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20)
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2007

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-15
Sample size:5657
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Factsheet, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/Philippines_2007_GSHS_fact_sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20)
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2003

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-15
Sample size:7338
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Factsheet, available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/gshs_fs_PI_national.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20)
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2003

Survey type:Measured
Age:12
Area covered:National
References:Philippine facts and figures 2003, Part II. Anthropometric Facts and Figures, FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Department of Science and Technology
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 1998

Survey type:Measured
Age:12
Area covered:National
References:Philippine facts and figures 2003, Part II. Anthropometric Facts and Figures, FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Department of Science and Technology
Cutoffs:Other

Children, 1993

Survey type:Measured
Age:12
Area covered:National
References:Philippine facts and figures 2003, Part II. Anthropometric Facts and Figures, FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Department of Science and Technology
Cutoffs:Other

Overweight/obesity by age

Adults, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:82821
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:82821
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2019

Survey type:Self-reported
Sample size:10,175
Area covered:National
References:Global School-based Student Health Survey Philippines Factsheet 2019: Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/philippines/2019-philippines-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=7e3888af_1&download=true. Accessed: 04.10.21.
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:33,086
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Definitions:Not IOTF International Cut Off. WHO BMI for Age.
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Sample size:33,086
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Definitions:Not IOTF International Cut Off. WHO BMI for Age.
Cutoffs:WHO

Overweight/obesity by region

Adults, 2018-2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:20-59
Sample size:159,926
Area covered:National
References:2019 ENSS results. Available at: http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/presentation.php?year=2019. Accessed 25.10.21.
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2013

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:Large national survey
Area covered:National
References:FOOD and NUTRITION, RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Department of Science and Technology (2015) 2nd NATIONAL NUTRITION SUMMIT:8th NATIONAL NUTRITION SURVEY. “Juan Mission for a Well-Nourished Nation” http://202.90.141.88/NNS/8thNNS.pdf (last accessed 3rd March 2016)
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-10
Sample size:20,681
References:Philippines 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey. Available at: http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2018_ENNS_Facts_and_Figures.pdf. Accessed 12.10.21.
Cutoffs:WHO

Boys, 2015

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-17
Sample size:8761
Area covered:National
References:Global School based Student Health Survey - https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/factsheets/en/
Notes:Overweight > +1 SD, < +2SD for BMI by age and sex Obesity > + 2SD Obese for BMI by age and sex
Cutoffs:WHO

Girls, 2015

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:13-17
Sample size:8761
Area covered:National
References:Global School based Student Health Survey - https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/factsheets/en/
Notes:Overweight > +1 SD, < +2SD for BMI by age and sex Obesity > + 2SD Obese for BMI by age and sex
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-19
Sample size:32817
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Definitions:Not IOTF International Cut Off. WHO BMI for Age.
Cutoffs:WHO

Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group

Adults, 2018-2019

Survey type:Measured
Age:20-59
Sample size:4,776
Area covered:Regional - Palawan
References:2019 ENNS Provincial Dissemination - Palawan. Available at: http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2019%20ENNS%20Provincial%20Dissemination%20-%20Palawan.pdf. Last accessed 25.10.21.
Definitions:"The wealth index is calculated by principal component analysis using data on household’s ownership of selected assets, materials used for housing construction and types of water access and sanitation facilities."
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Adults, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:20+
Sample size:82821
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m².

Children, 2018

Survey type:Measured
Age:5-10
Sample size:20,681
Area covered:National
References:Philippines 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey. Available at: http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/uploads/2018_ENNS_Facts_and_Figures.pdf. Accessed 12.10.21.
Definitions:Quintile familial wealth
Cutoffs:WHO

Children, 2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:10-19
Sample size:32,817
Area covered:National
References:2015 Philippine Anthropometric Survey. http://enutrition.fnri.dost.gov.ph/site/preview.php?xx=%20uploads/2015_ANTHROPOMETRIC_SURVEY.pdf
Definitions:Not IOTF International Cut Off. WHO BMI for Age.
Cutoffs:WHO

Insufficient physical activity

Adults, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Men, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Women, 2016

References:Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7

Children, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Boys, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Girls, 2016

Survey type:Self-reported
Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893ADO?lang=en (last accessed 16.03.21)
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Children, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Boys, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Girls, 2010

Age:11-17
References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en
Notes:% of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
Definitions:% Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate)

Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

Estimated per capita fruit intake

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:25+
References:Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions:Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day)

Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption)

Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Survey type:Measured
Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system
Definitions:Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption)

Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption

Children, 2010-2015

Age:12-17
References:Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system

Estimated per-capita processed meat intake

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:25+
References:Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions:Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day)

Estimated per capita whole grains intake

Adults, 2017

Survey type:Measured
Age:25+
References:Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/
Definitions:Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day)

Mental health - depression disorders

Adults, 2015

References:Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Definitions:% of population with depression disorders

Mental health - anxiety disorders

Adults, 2015

References:Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Definitions:% of population with anxiety disorders

% Infants exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

Children, 2004-2020

Area covered:National
References:Philippines 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS)
Notes:See UNICEF website for further survey information. Available at : https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/infant-young-child-feeding/ (last accessed 28.9.21) Citation: United Nations Children’s Fund, Division of Data, Analysis, Planning and Monitoring (2021). Global UNICEF Global Databases: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Exclusive breastfeeding, New York, September 2021.
Definitions:% exclusively breastfed 0-5 months

Oesophageal cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Breast cancer

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Colorectal cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Pancreatic cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Gallbladder cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Kidney cancer

Men, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Cancer of the uterus

Women, 2020

Age:20+
Area covered:National
References:Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, Piñeros M, Znaor A, Soerjomataram I, Bray F (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today, accessed 10.01.2283
Definitions:Age-standardized indicence rates per 100 000

Raised blood pressure

Adults, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

Men, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

Women, 2015

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90).

Raised cholesterol

Adults, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

Men, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

Women, 2008

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885
Definitions:% Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate).

Raised fasting blood glucose

Men, 2014

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).

Women, 2014

References:Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en
Definitions:Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication).

Diabetes prevalence

Adults, 2021

Age:20-79
Area covered:National
References:Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation.  IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium:International Diabetes Federation, 2021. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes, %

Adults, 2019

Age:20-79
References:Reproduced with kind permission International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. Brussels,Belgium: 2019. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%).

Adults, 2017

References:Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org
Definitions:Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%).

Economic impact of overweight and obesity

Country comparisons

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Policies, Interventions and Actions

Soft drink tax in Philippines

6 pesos per litre on products using purely caloric and purely non-caloric sweeteners or a mix of both 12 pesos per litre on products using high fructose corn syrup with or without a caloric or non-caloric sweetener

Categories:Taxation/Subsidies on Food or Beverages or law relating to public health
Year(s):2018 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Philippine Government
Find out more:taxreform.dof.gov.ph
Linked document:Download linked document
References:Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) as Republic. Act (RA) No. 10963

Philippine Plan of Action For Nutrition 2017-2022

The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 is an integral part of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. It factors in and considers country commitments to the global community as embodied in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the 2025 Global Targets for Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, and the 2014 International Conference on Nutrition.

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2017-2022
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:National Nutrition Council
Linked document:Download linked document

Nutrition Month

Nutrition Month is held every July to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos (Presidential Decree 491 (1974) or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines. The 2015 (41st) Nutrition Month theme was Timbang iwasto, sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo (Achieve normal weight through proper nutrition and physical activity) and focused on the problem of overweight and obesity.

Categories (partial):Evidence of Community Interventions/Campaign
Year(s):2015 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:National Nutrition Council
Find out more:www.nnc.gov.ph
Linked document:Download linked document

2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (Filipino: Mga Gabay sa Wastong Nutrisyon Para sa Pilipino)

Dietary guidelines

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2012 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:The Food and Nutrition Research Institute
Find out more:www.fnri.dost.gov.ph

Front of package labelling

Voluntary front of package labelling

Categories:Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2012 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Philippines Food and Drug Administration 
Linked document:Download linked document

"Responsible Advertising to Children" Initiative (The Philippine Pledge)

Voluntary self-regulatory marketing pledge

Categories:Evidence of Marketing Guidelines/Policy
Year(s):2011 (ongoing)
Target age group:Children
Organisation:Philippine Food and Beverage Industry
Find out more:pana.com.ph

Article: Obesity Treatment Recommendations in the Philippines:Perspective on their Utility and Implementation in Clinical Practice

The article briefly reviews the obesity practice recommendations of the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO) and the obesity guidelines of the Family Medicine Research Group (FMRG) of the UP-Philippine General Hospital. The two treatment recommendations showed their focus on the primary care setting and several limitations in the development process

Categories (partial):Evidence of Management/treatment guidelines
Year(s):2011 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Linked document:Download linked document

Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN)

This PPAN addresses the following key issues: 1)Hunger 2)Child undernutrition 3)Maternal undernutrition, 4) Deficiencies in iron, iodine and vitamin A, and 5)Obesity and overweight.

Categories (partial):Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):2011-2016
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:National Nutrition Council
Find out more:www.nnc.gov.ph

National nutrition council

Convening nutrition partners

Categories:Evidence of Nutritional or Health Strategy/ Guidelines/Policy/Action plan
Year(s):1974 (ongoing)
Target age group:Adults and children
References:https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/27083

FDA voluntary front of pack label

On 13 December 2012, the Philippines Food and Drug Administration issued FDA Circular No. 2012-015 which set out guidelines for a voluntary front of pack label that applies to FDA-CFRR regulated products (processed and prepackaged food products). The label must appear on the lower right hand portion of the principal display panel and must outline the amount of energy per serving of the food, and the percentage of the calorie value based on the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) for energy. Producers need to submit their labels to the FDA for approval before they can be displayed.

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Target age group:Adults and children
References:https://policydatabase.wcrf.org/level_one?page=nourishing-level-one#step2=0#step3=309

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:Ministry of Health (information provided by the GINA progam)
Find out more:extranet.who.int
References:Information provided with kind permission of WHO Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA): https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en

Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes: National Implementation of the International Code Status Report 2016 (Promotion of Breastfeeding)

The 2016 report provides information on the status of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions (“the Code”) in and by countries. The report also identifies in which countries they actively promote the benefits of breastfeeding.

Categories:Evidence of Breastfeeding promotion or related activity
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:WHO UNICEF IBFAN
References:WHO. UNICEF. IBFAN. Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes: National Implementation of the International Code. Status Report 2016. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016

Nutrient content lists

In the Philippines, producers and retailers are required by law to provide a list of the nutrient content of pre-packaged food products (with limited exceptions), even in the absence of a nutrition or health claim. The rules define which nutrients must be listed and on what basis (eg per 100g/per serving).

Categories:Labelling Regulation/Guidelines
Target age group:Adults and children
References:https://policydatabase.wcrf.org/level_one?page=nourishing-level-one#step2=0#step3=327

PASOO White Paper on Lifestyle Approaches for the Prevention of Obesity

Categories (partial):Evidence of Community Interventions/Campaign
Target age group:Adults
Organisation:PASOO
Linked document:Download linked document

Physical activity guidelines

The Philippines have a set of physical activity guidelines tailored towards a multitude of age groups.

Categories:Evidence of Physical Activity Guidelines/Policy
Target age group:Adults and children
Organisation:Department of Health
Linked document:Download linked document
References:https://extranet.who.int/ncdccs/documents/Db

No actions could be found for the above criteria.

Contextual factors

Disclaimer: These contextual factors should be interpreted with care. Results are updated as regularly as possible and use very specific criteria. The criteria used and full definitions are available for download at the bottom of this page.

Tap on a tick to find out more about policies influencing this factor.

Labelling

Is there mandatory nutrition labelling?Present
Front-of-package labelling?Present-(voluntary)
Back-of-pack nutrition declaration?Present
Color coding?Absent
Warning label?Absent

Regulation and marketing

Are there fiscal policies on unhealthy products?Present
Tax on unhealthy foods?Absent
Tax on unhealthy drinks?Present
Are there fiscal policies on healthy products?Absent
Subsidy on fruits?Absent
Subsidy on vegetables?Absent
Subsidy on other healthy products?Absent
Mandatory limit or ban of trans fat (all settings)?Incoming
Mandatory limit of trans fats in place (all settings)? Incoming
Ban on trans-fats or phos in place (all settings)? Incoming
Are there any mandatory policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Absent
Mandatory restriction on broadcast media?Absent
Mandatory restriction on non-broadcast media?Absent
Voluntary policies/marketing restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy food/drinks to children?Present-(voluntary)
Are there mandatory standards for food in schools?Absent
Are there any mandatory nutrient limits in any manufactured food products?Absent
Nutrition standards for public sector procurement?Absent

Political will and support

National obesity strategy or nutrition and physical activity national strategy?Present
National obesity strategy?Present
National childhood obesity strategy?Present
Comprehensive nutrition strategy?Present
Comprehensive physical activity strategy?Present
Evidence-based dietary guidelines and/or RDAs?Present
National target(s) on reducing obesity?Present
Guidelines/policy on obesity treatment?Present
Promotion of breastfeeding?Absent

Monitoring and surveillance

Monitoring of the prevalence and incidence for the main obesity-related NCDs and risk factors?Present
Within 5 years?Present

Governance and resource

Multi-sectoral national co-ordination mechanism for obesity or nutrition (including obesity)?Present

Key

Present
Present (voluntary)
Incoming
Absent
Unknown

Last updated September 13, 2022

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Download contextual factors as a PDF Contextual factors definitions

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