Metro Manila, Philippines, 09 March 2026 – Obesity and overweight conditions are affecting more than four in ten Filipino adults and costing the Philippine economy an estimated Php 1.9 trillion annually,
According to findings from the landmark Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity in the Philippines
(EpiCOb-PH) study presented during a multi-sectoral forum at EDSA Shangri-La on March 9. The forum, which unveiled the first comprehensive assessment of the epidemiological and economic burden of obesity in the Philippines, was organized by MetaHealth Insights and Innovations, Inc., in partnership with Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc., and the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP).

“Obesity is no longer just a lifestyle issue. It is a major public health and economic challenge that affects
millions of Filipinos,” said health economist Dr. Madeleine de Rosas-Valera. “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.”

Key decision-makers from government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations,
professional societies and development partners attended the event to discuss the study’s findings and
policy implications.

The study used a modelling approach that combined multiple national data sources. Researchers analyzed information from the National Nutrition Survey and Expanded National Nutrition Survey covering the period from 1993 to 2023. Using these data, the study estimated current and future trends in obesity and its health impacts. The researchers also projected how these trends may change until 2040. Health burden was measured using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a summary measure that accounts for both years of life lost and years lived with disability.

Beyond its health impact, obesity places a significant strain on the Philippine economy. The EpiCOb-PH
study estimates that the total economic cost of obesity reaches approximately Php 1.9 trillion annually,
including Php 551 billion in healthcare costs; Php 165.39 billion in non-medical costs such as transportation and caregiving; and Php 1.17 trillion in productivity losses due to illness, disability, and premature death. At the individual level, the average annual cost of obesity is estimated at Php 66,696 per person, rising further when complications such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease occur.

“These findings highlight the urgent need to address obesity as a chronic disease that requires long-term
management and coordinated action across the health system,” said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo
Nordisk Philippines. “By working together with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities,
we can help strengthen prevention, improve access to care, and support Filipinos in achieving better long
term health outcomes.”

Filipino adults affected. Data from the study estimate that by 2025, around 29.5 million Filipino adults—about 41 percent of the country’s adult population will be classified as overweight or obese according to Asia-Pacific BMI thresholds.

This means that more than four out of ten Filipino adults are already at increased risk of obesity-related
diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. The study also found that only about 10 percent of individuals living with obesity may remain free from related complications over their lifetime, while the majority are likely to develop at least one chronic condition associated with the disease.

Disability-adjusted life years. Beyond prevalence, the research highlights the profound impact of obesity on population health. Researchers estimate that obesity will result in 5.3 million 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, the total burden rises to 13.6 million DALYs lost each year.

This means that more than four out of ten Filipino adults are already at increased risk of obesity-related
diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. The study also found that only about 10 percent of individuals living with obesity may remain free from related complications over their lifetime, while the majority are likely to develop at least one chronic condition associated with the disease.

Without intervention, the number of Filipino adults affected could grow to 44.8 million by 2040, underscoring the urgency of stronger national action. “Quantifying the epidemiological and economic burden of obesity allows policymakers to understand the scale of the challenge and the urgency of addressing it,” said Dr. John Paul Caesar R. delos Trinos, Chief Scientific Officer of metaHealth Insights and Innovations. “Evidence-based policies and coordinated action across sectors will be critical to preventing further escalation of the disease burden in the coming decades.”

National action: The study recommends strengthening prevention policies that promote healthier diets and physical activity. improving early risk detection and ensuring structured care pathways for obesity management. Experts also emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration across health, education, agriculture, urban planning, and economic policy to address the growing burden of obesity in the country effectively.

“The findings show that obesity affects millions of Filipinos and contributes to significant losses in health,
productivity, and national economic output,” the report concluded. “Without coordinated action, this burden is expected to grow substantially in the coming decades.”