MANILA, Philippines — Health experts are urging the public to undergo earlier and more regular screenings for diabetes as the chronic disease increasingly affects younger individuals in the Philippines.
Endocrinologist Dr. Elaine Cunanan, vice president of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, recommended that individuals aged 35 and older now take a fasting blood sugar test annually, even without symptoms. This is a shift from the previous recommendation of 40 years old, prompted by data showing that 8.5 percent of Filipinos aged 20 and above had diabetes in 2023. Furthermore, nearly 24 percent of the population is classified as pre-diabetic.
Dr. Cunanan warned that unchecked diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic blindness and amputations, and can lead to severe complications in the kidneys, heart, and nerves.
The rise in diabetes is closely linked to a high prevalence of obesity. Dr. Luzviminda Katigbak, president of the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity, noted that 41 percent of Filipino adults are now overweight or obese—a massive increase from just 2 percent in 1993. She emphasized that obesity is a chronic, treatable disease rather than a character flaw, and its rise among children is particularly concerning as childhood eating habits often persist into adulthood.
Beyond health risks, obesity imposes a staggering P2.7 trillion annual economic burden on the Philippines due to healthcare costs and lost productivity. Experts are calling for lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity and healthier eating habits, while urging the government to lobby for initiatives that provide better food choices and opportunities for exercise in local neighborhoods.