The hidden cost of obesity: PH risks losing its workforce before it grows up
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The hidden cost of obesity: PH risks losing its workforce before it grows up
Raine Musñgi,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 11, 2025 02:45 PM PHT
Marketgoers purchase goods at Litex Market in Quezon City on June 8, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file
Marketgoers purchase goods at Litex Market in Quezon City on June 8, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/fileMANILA — The Philippines may be sitting on a goldmine of working-age citizens—but a growing weight problem threatens to sink it.
MANILA — The Philippines may be sitting on a goldmine of working-age citizens—but a growing weight problem threatens to sink it.
“What’s the use of having a very young population… if they are being impaired by obesity?” says John Paul Cesar de los Trinos of MetaHealth Insights and co-leader of the EPICOP PH study, which is investigating just how much obesity is costing Filipinos—in pesos and productivity.
“What’s the use of having a very young population… if they are being impaired by obesity?” says John Paul Cesar de los Trinos of MetaHealth Insights and co-leader of the EPICOP PH study, which is investigating just how much obesity is costing Filipinos—in pesos and productivity.
And it starts shockingly early: over 14% of children aged 5–10 are already overweight or obese.
And it starts shockingly early: over 14% of children aged 5–10 are already overweight or obese.
Families pay the price
“More than 44.4% of health expenses in the Philippines are still paid out-of-pocket,” de los Trinos said, echoing official PSA data.
“More than 44.4% of health expenses in the Philippines are still paid out-of-pocket,” de los Trinos said, echoing official PSA data.
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That means treatments for obesity-related diseases—like diabetes, kidney issues, and hypertension—can drain family budgets. Medications can run from P1,000 to P3,000/month, while hospitalizations can cost up to P15,000 or more. And that’s not even counting special clothing, mobility aids, or missed work days.
That means treatments for obesity-related diseases—like diabetes, kidney issues, and hypertension—can drain family budgets. Medications can run from P1,000 to P3,000/month, while hospitalizations can cost up to P15,000 or more. And that’s not even counting special clothing, mobility aids, or missed work days.
Per capita health spending in the country rose to P11,083 in 2023—an 8.3% jump from the year before. Nationally, the country spent P1.44 trillion on health, or 5.9% of GDP.
Per capita health spending in the country rose to P11,083 in 2023—an 8.3% jump from the year before. Nationally, the country spent P1.44 trillion on health, or 5.9% of GDP.
A young, unproductive workforce?
The concern isn’t just personal—it’s national.
The concern isn’t just personal—it’s national.
Obesity is already affecting workplace productivity through absenteeism, presenteeism, and even early retirement.
Obesity is already affecting workplace productivity through absenteeism, presenteeism, and even early retirement.
“In the PNP, officers were told to lose weight or face reassignment. Some jobs require physical fitness, period,” de los Trinos said.
“In the PNP, officers were told to lose weight or face reassignment. Some jobs require physical fitness, period,” de los Trinos said.
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The link between obesity and diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions often shows up just when Filipinos should be entering their prime earning years. That undercuts the country’s so-called demographic dividend—the economic boost expected from its young population.
The link between obesity and diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions often shows up just when Filipinos should be entering their prime earning years. That undercuts the country’s so-called demographic dividend—the economic boost expected from its young population.
PNP officers exercise in line with a nationwide weight loss challenge in Camp Crame, Quezon City on June 13, 2017. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file
PNP officers exercise in line with a nationwide weight loss challenge in Camp Crame, Quezon City on June 13, 2017. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file Prevention is cheaper than cure
De los Trinos acknowledged that government agencies like PhilHealth and the DOH are beginning to craft benefit packages for obesity-related complications. But he warned:
De los Trinos acknowledged that government agencies like PhilHealth and the DOH are beginning to craft benefit packages for obesity-related complications. But he warned:
“We don’t want to reach the stage where we’re just paying for complications. Prevention is way cheaper,” .
“We don’t want to reach the stage where we’re just paying for complications. Prevention is way cheaper,” .
He pointed to urban design as part of the solution—calling for more walkable streets, safe bike lanes, and easier access to healthy food in schools and workplaces.
He pointed to urban design as part of the solution—calling for more walkable streets, safe bike lanes, and easier access to healthy food in schools and workplaces.
“In other countries, it’s easy to be active because the environment supports it. We need to build that here,” he added.
“In other countries, it’s easy to be active because the environment supports it. We need to build that here,” he added.
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With 38.4% of Filipino adults now overweight or obese (FNRI, 2021), the message is clear: if the Philippines wants to build a productive workforce, it first needs to lighten the load—literally.
With 38.4% of Filipino adults now overweight or obese (FNRI, 2021), the message is clear: if the Philippines wants to build a productive workforce, it first needs to lighten the load—literally.
Catch the full interview with John Paul Cesar de los Trinos on Top Story, exclusively on the ABS-CBN News Channel.
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