THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has expressed growing concern about the increasing rate of obesity in Davao Region.
Based on the 2016 data of the SPMC, children in Davao Region aged less than five have an obesity rate of 2.7. In Davao del Sur alone, children have an obesity rate of 1.5, and Davao City has 3.2 percent.
For children ages five to ten years old, the Davao Region has an obesity rate of 5.2 percent, while Davao del Sur has 3.6 percent, and Davao City has 8.2 percent.
For children ages 10 to 19, Davao Region has an obesity rate of 7.2 percent, Davao del Sur with 5.6 percent, and Davao City with 9.2 percent.
However, according to Dr. Perlina Quitain, a consultant in Pediatrics at SPMC, the latest data for the obesity rate in the Philippines shows that nearly 1 in 10 children in the country, aged between five and 10, are now classified as obese. This alarming trend is also noticeable among adolescents.
Quitain, during the Kapehan sa Davao on Monday morning, September 11, 2023 underscored that obesity is no longer limited to high-income countries; it has become a significant health issue in developing nations like the Philippines.
“Before ang problema lang natu sa (our problem here in the) Philippines kay (is) undernutrition, but now we now have what we call the double burden of malnutrition, both ends of the spectrum, undernutrition and overnutrition or what we call obesity,” Quitain said.
To determine whether a child is obese, she recommended examining their Body Mass Index (BMI). If a child's BMI falls at or above the 95th percentile on the chart, they are considered obese.
Meanwhile, Beverly Tusoy, nutritionist and dietitian at SPMC, noted a concerning rise in obesity rates among adults over the past two decades. The obesity rate increased from 20.2 percent in 1998 to 36.6 percent in 2019. Among adolescents, the prevalence also doubled, rising from 4.9 percent in 2003 to 11.6 percent in 2018.
Quitain also cited the contributing factors to obesity, including lack of exercise, consumption of sugary drinks, inadequate sleep, and consumption of junk foods or empty-calorie foods like fast food, ice cream, and baked goods.
She emphasized the importance of sufficient sleep, as sleep deprivation can lead to increased production of Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, which can result in overeating. This phenomenon is often observed in individuals working night shifts who consume excessive food due to sleep deprivation.
Quitain also recommended consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and maintaining a balanced diet rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Tusoy added that genetics can play a role in obesity. However, since genetic makeup cannot be altered, the focus should be on mitigating its effects through exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Obese children, according to her, are at a higher risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
One significant contributor to the sedentary lifestyle of many children and adolescents is excessive screen time, primarily spent on mobile phones engaging in social media and online games rather than outdoor physical activities. This trend further exacerbates the obesity issue. RGP
