P1.9-trillion cost of obesity spurs calls for workplace, policy action

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk brought together health economists and medical professionals on Tuesday at Westin Manila in Pasig City for a forum on the impact of obesity on workforce productivity and the broader economy.

Obesity, a condition that increases the risk of severe chronic diseases such as diabetes, is estimated to have cost the Philippines around P1.9 trillion in 2025, according to the Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity in the Philippines (EpiCOb-PH) study led by Dr. Madeleine de Rosas-Valera and funded by Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical (Philippines) Inc. released in March this year.

“We designed the study to answer two fundamental questions. First, how large is the burden of overweight and obesity in the Philippines? Second, what does the burden cost? So, not only in healthcare expenditures, but also in the loss of productivity, disability, and premature mortality,” Ms. Valera said during the forum.

According to the EpiCOb-Ph study, around 29 million adult Filipinos or 41% of Filipino adults are affected by obesity. These numbers are projected to rise by 44.8 million in 2040.

These numbers costs P551 billion direct medical cost, P1.17 trillion productivity losses, and P1.9 trillion total economic burden equivalent to 7.3% of last year’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“The greatest cost of obesity may not be reflected solely in health care expenditures or even in health insurance. It may be reflected in productivity losses that occur quietly and relatively over time. This is why obesity should no longer be viewed solely as a wellness issue,” Ms. Valera said.

Health economist John Paul Cesar Delos Trinos said that when looking at the Philippine economy, sometimes the bigger cost would be the productivity losses.

During the discussion, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bureau of Working Conditions medical officer IV Marco Antonio S. Valeros said that from DOLE’s perspective, there are no policies yet on addressing obesity in the workplace.

“From the DOLE’s perspective, of course, to be honest, there’s still no specific policy towards obesity. However, we have Department Order 184, Series of 2017. That’s the one on prolonged sitting because we want to combat the incidental lifestyle.” Mr. Valeros said in mixed English and Filipino during the discussion.

“There should be behavioral change communication to accompany our policies… Because sometimes, we’ll go there, of course, there’s evidence, there’s documentary. But, as soon as we leave the company, we don’t know what’s going to happen… the DOLE cannot be 24/7 in all of our establishments.” He added.

Mr. Valeros noted that implementation of these policies will fall upon human resources departments.

Endocrinologist Queenie Villegas-Florencio said during the panel discussion that it is important to make the workplace a healthy environment as preventive measures for obesity.

“A while ago, I mentioned it’s because of the obesogenic environment that led to the weight gain. So, maybe in our workplace, let’s try to make our workplace a healthy environment wherein our employees have a space to exercise, walk, and maybe have some sports activities and regular activities so that they will be—it should be a part of everyday life,” Ms. Florencio said.

“We have to help them and screen them early and refer them to specialists so that they can be managed well to prevent the other comorbidities,” she added.

“From all the studies that we have done, and these are already experiences, also in other countries, if the local government will combine support with the Universal Health Care and PhilHealth—I see that the focus is more on curative than preventive,” Ms. Valera said during the discussion.

“We have not really reached universal health coverage, which has a support value of 65 to 70%. Meaning PhilHealth should be paying 65 to 70% of your hospital care… Under the Universal Health Care Law, it’s the role of the local government,” she said.— Kaizzer Angela V. Manuba