19/12/2025
โPasko na, alagaan ang kalusugan!โ
๐
๐ Holiday Cheers, Healthy Years! ๐๐
๐ A recent survey by DOST-FNRI shows that 2 out of 10 Filipino adults are already in the prediabetic stage. That means many of us are at risk of developing diabetes if we donโt take action now.
And with the holidays coming upโNoche Buena, parties, and endless handaanโitโs easy to indulge in sweets, soft drinks, and fatty dishes. But remember: health is the best gift we can give ourselves and our loved ones.
๐ Tips for a Healthier Holiday:
- ๐ Balance the plate: Add fruits and veggies alongside festive dishes.
- ๐ถ Keep moving: Dance, walk, or play with familyโmake activity part of the celebration.
- ๐ง Drink wisely: Choose water or fruit-infused drinks instead of sugary sodas.
- ๐ฉบ Get checked: Visit your RHU or Barangay Health Station for blood sugar screeningโearly detection saves lives.
โจ Letโs celebrate responsibly so we can welcome the New Year with stronger bodies and brighter futures. Share this message and remind your family: Holiday joy lasts longer when paired with healthy choices!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19FXcayye9/
๐ฎ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐น๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฐ, ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ง-๐๐ก๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐
Two (2) in every 10 (22.0%) Filipino adults, aged 20-59 years old have impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG) or considered prediabetic, a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, according to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by Department of Science and Technologyโs Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
Impaired FBG was significantly higher among men (24.5%) than women (19.9%). Meanwhile, 7.5% have high FBG or with fasting blood glucose of equal to or more than (โฅ) 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), which is significantly higher among urban dwellers (8.8%) than rural dwellers (6.4%).
The survey also revealed the following:
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐น๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ-๐ฑ๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐น๐ฑ
โข 1 in every 10 (11.3%) has high cholesterol, and is significantly higher among females and urban dwellers.
โข 7.2% have high LDL-cholesterol (also known as โbadโ cholesterol, the levels of which should be low), which was significantly higher among males (8.9%) than females (5.3%).
โข 2 in every 10 adults have high triglycerides, and is more prevalent among males (28.7%) than females (14.0%).
โข 6 in every 10 (57.5%) have low HDL-cholesterol (also known as โgoodโ cholesterol, the levels of which should be high). This is significantly higher among females (66.2%) and males (47.5%).
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐น๐ ๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ฒ
โข 4 in every 10 older persons (36.0%) have impaired FBG. This is significantly higher among older men (38.0%) than older women (34.4%).
โข 2 in every 10 older persons (17.2%) have high FBG, which is significantly higher among urban dwellers (19.4%) than rural dwellers (15.3%).
โข 2 in every 10 older persons (20.4%) have high total cholesterol, which is significantly higher among females and urban dwellers.
โข 1 in every 10 (13.7%) older persons has high LDL-cholesterol. This is more prevalent among females and urban dwellers.
โข 6 in every 10 (55.8%) older persons have low HDL-cholesterol, and is significantly higher among females than males.
The DOST-FNRI emphasizes that these findings reflect the growing impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Philippines. This is largely driven by risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal lipid (fat) levels, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors like smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and poor sleep.
In light of these results, the DOST-FNRI recommends promoting heart-healthy lifestyles, including a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, and the cessation of smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Specifically, the food manufacturing sector and food establishments, including office and school canteens, should be monitored as to the nutritional content of their products and the food they serve, like fat, cholesterol, sodium, preservatives, artificial ingredients, carcinogens, and other harmful substances like heavy metals and microplastics.
Moreover, these findings are crucial in guiding public health strategies and strict enforcement of policies aimed at preventing lifestyle-related diseases. They also serve as a valuable resource for improving health and nutrition services, particularly for this age group who manifest several nutrition- and lifestyle-related diseases, especially at the community and grassroots levels, where early interventions and health education can make a significant difference.
