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Davao Region ranks fifth highest in obesity rates nationwide.

Davao Region Leads the Country in High Adult Overweight and Obesity Rates, Warnings Signs Indicate

Davao Region tops the fifth highest obesity rate in the country
Davao Region tops the fifth highest obesity rate in the country

Davao Region ranks fifth highest in obesity rates nationwide.

In a recent meeting at the Ritz Hotel in Garden Oases, Davao City, Retsebeth Laquihon, RND from the National Nutrition Council-Davao Region, addressed a gathering of the Regional Nutrition Media Group. Her message was clear and urgent: the increasing rate of obesity and overweight among Filipinos, including those in the Davao Region, is a significant public health concern.

The Davao Region stands out as one of the regions with the highest rate of adult obesity and overweight, with a staggering 40.2% of adults aged 20 and above falling into these categories. This rate is nearly double the 24% recorded in 2003, indicating a worrying trend. When compared to other regions, Davao's rate is only surpassed by the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Caraga, and Central Luzon.

The principles of "equity, sustainability, and community participation" are being emphasized to encourage families to play an active role in improving their own nutritional health. However, the data suggests that this issue is not confined to urban areas. Barangays in rural areas are also affected, with underweight children found in one family, while overweight children are found in the next.

The government has taken steps to address this issue. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028 aims to improve food security, ensure access to nutritious food, and prioritize vulnerable groups. Information officers from various regions were present to discuss strategies for promoting stricter regulations and timely information.

The expert, Laquihon, warned that the Philippines is at risk of experiencing a "double burden of malnutrition," where obesity and undernutrition coexist within the same community. If malnutrition in all its forms is not addressed, it could cost the Philippines $48 billion in productivity by 2030, according to Nutrition International.

Among school-age children, the National Capital Region leads the list with 19.5%, followed by Calabarzon (18.7%) and Central Luzon (17.4%). Among preschoolers, the National Capital Region and Calabarzon have rates of 4.6% and 5.0% respectively, above the national average of 3.9%.

Laquihon emphasized that this is not just a health problem, but also an economic problem. She urged the community to act now, not just as individuals, but as communities. The choices we make about what we eat and how we live will shape the health of the next generation.

References:

[1] Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). National Nutrition Survey 2021. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/national-nutrition-survey-2021

[2] Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2021). National Nutrition Survey 2021. Retrieved from https://dost.gov.ph/fnri/national-nutrition-survey-2021-results-released/

[3] National Nutrition Council. (2021). National Nutrition Council-Davao Region. Retrieved from https://nnc.gov.ph/regions/davao-region/

[4] Philippine Statistics Authority. (2016). National Nutrition Survey 2016. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/national-nutrition-survey-2016

[5] Department of Health. (2021). Overweight and Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.doh.gov.ph/content/overweight-and-obesity

The increasing rate of obesity and overweight in the Davao Region, highlighted by Retsebeth Laquihon, RND from the National Nutrition Council-Davao Region, calls for urgent action in the health-and-wellness sector, as the region struggles with a significant public health concern (Health, Davao). Moreover, the principles of equity, sustainability, and community participation in nutrition are being emphasized to combat this issue, as the data suggests that underweight and overweight cases are prevalent not just in urban areas but also in rural barangays (Nutrition).

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