MANILA, Philippines — A health expert said that nearly 40 percent of Filipino adults were now classified as obese, driven by a complex mix of genetics, environment, culture, and socioeconomic factors.

This was revealed during the first Obesity Collaborative Summit on Saturday, hosted by the Makati Life Medical Center in partnership with the Philippine Association of Metabolic and Obesity Surgery (PAMOS).

Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus Jr., incoming president of the Philippine College of Physicians, noted that the 40 percent was a dramatic jump from previous estimates that only used global standards, which put obesity rates at just 10 percent among Filipinos. The change reflects new, lower BMI cutoffs for Asian populations, who are at higher risk of complications at lower weights.

“Obesity places an enormous strain on individuals, families, and the entire healthcare system,” said Nicodemus.

Genetics plays a major role in a person becoming obese. “Up to 70 percent of obesity can be inherited, meaning many Filipinos are genetically predisposed to gain weight,” Nicodemus said.

Aside from genetics, the Filipino culture of food-centric gatherings, family eating habits, and traditions play a significant role in shaping dietary practices. He also stressed that access to nutritious food remains limited, especially in urban areas. “How can people eat healthy if all that’s available in the market is unhealthy food, and there’s no public health infrastructure? ” Nicodemus added.

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Nicodemus also cited that the lack of parks and walkable spaces and the threat of road accidents discourage outdoor physical activity, calling on legislators to ensure that there are safe outdoor spaces in the country for people to exercise.