Health experts push controls on sugary foods, drinks

Health experts on Tuesday called for stronger measures to limit the consumption of sugary foods and beverages as part of efforts to curb rising obesity rates in the Philippines.

During a media conference in Manila, Philippine Heart Association board member Dr. Louella Santos proposed imposing higher taxes on sugary drinks to discourage consumption.

“Kagaya po ng smoking, yung mga cigarette, ang hope po sana namin [is] pagka medyo mas mahal po itong mga ito, madi-discourage tayo na bilhin…

(Just like with smoking and cigarettes, our hope is that if these become more expensive, people will be discouraged from buying them.)

"Tubig pa rin po talaga ang pinaka-healthy. Maganda para sa kidney, maganda para sa asukal, maganda para sa puso,” she said.

(Water is still the healthiest. It’s good for the kidneys, good for blood sugar, and good for the heart.)

Drinks containing sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup are already taxed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.

However, Dr. Elaine Cunanan, vice president of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, said several legislative proposals are still being discussed to help promote healthier environments and reduce obesity risks.

Meanwhile, Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO) president Dr. Luzviminda Katigbak reiterated that water remains the healthiest beverage.

She acknowledged that sugary drinks have become popular, particularly among children and young people influenced by social trends.

“Parang in naman talaga [ang sugary drinks]. When they get together, parang yun yung bonding nila, pero (Sugary drinks really seem to be ‘in’ these days. When young people get together, it becomes part of their bonding, but) I think… we lack some awareness campaigns regarding that matter,” she said.

Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus Jr., president of the Philippine College of Physicians, noted that many sugary drinks contain high-fructose corn syrup, which is often high in calories.

Cunanan added that while policies and taxation help, lifestyle and behavioral changes remain crucial.

“This still needs behavioral modification, because—let’s admit it—it really tastes good. At least, it’s good that people are becoming more conscious about it,” she said.

“Eat more healthy foods. It’s not about completely eliminating them… it’s more about moderation. Too much of anything becomes dangerous,” she added.

Risks of obesity

Health experts warned that obesity is linked to several serious complications, including heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disorders.

According to PASOO data, about 41% of Filipinos—or roughly 29.5 million people—are classified as overweight or obese, meaning more than four out of 10 Filipinos are at risk of developing related health complications.

Globally, obesity has been linked to about 5.3 million deaths, and without intervention, the number of adults affected could reach 44.8 million by 2040.

A 2023 study in the Philippines also found that 62.5% of obese patients were female. Meanwhile, 71.8% belonged to the richest wealth quintile, while 40.9% were from the poorest sector.

“Obesity is not excluded in our country. Even if you are not wealthy, you can develop obesity because the food that is affordable is often high in calories but low in nutrition,” Nicodemus said.

He stressed that government intervention is needed to make healthier food options more accessible and affordable.

Body positivity and health risks

Katigbak also stressed the need to balance body positivity with awareness of obesity’s medical consequences.

“Yes, don’t stigmatize it, but at the same time, look at its medical consequences,” she said.

“We do not encourage stigma, but we want people to understand the possible complications of overweight and obesity.”

Cunanan also discussed the use of diabetes medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide—popularly known through brands like Ozempic—which have gained attention for their weight-loss effects.

She explained that these drugs were originally developed to control blood sugar levels in diabetes patients but were later found to promote weight loss.

“It has been proven effective in lowering blood sugar and helping prevent kidney and heart complications. They noticed, ‘Oh, I’m losing weight,’ so in a way it’s a side effect—a good side effect,” Cunanan said.

However, she emphasized that such medications should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

She added that even non-diabetic individuals may be prescribed the drug if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is above 30, or 27 and above if accompanied by conditions such as fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, or stroke.

Cunanan also warned consumers against purchasing these medications online without proper prescriptions.

Despite their effectiveness, she said lifestyle changes remain the most sustainable solution.

“Doon sa mga gusto lang magpasexy, hindi po ito ang best way… Pag tinigil po ang gamot, may chance na babalik din ang timbang,” she said.

(For those who simply want to slim down, this isn’t really the best way. If the medication is stopped, there’s also a chance that the weight will come back.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News