SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go reminded Filipinos to remain fit and keep a healthy lifestyle after a report showed that obesity prevalence has increased, especially among children.

The chairman of the Senate Health Committee warned that obesity can lead to more serious health problems.

“Ito ang nagko-cause ng mga heart problem, nagkakaroon ng diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, and other non-communicable diseases,” Go said.

According to the Expanded National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, from July 2021 to July this year, 38.6 percent of adults aged 20 to 59 and 14.1 percent of children aged 5 to 10 are obese. The survey also said that 13.1 percent of people aged 10 to 19 and 14.1 percent of children aged 5 to 10 also suffer from obesity.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of obesity was 3.9 percent among children younger than 5 years old and 6.2 percent among elderly people aged 60 years and older.

Go renewed his call to Filipinos to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially since the pandemic imposed travel and mobility restrictions, resulting in less physical activities.

“Malaking factor po ngayon ang pandemya, two years po tayong nagkaroon ng travel restrictions at less physical activities, walang exercise,” said Go.

“Ineengganyo ko po ang mga magulang na medyo dapat maging fit tayo, balansehin po natin ang lahat, pangalagaan po natin ang kalusugan ng mga kabataan,” he added.

Go also urged parents to get their children involved in sports.