More Filipinos now overweight

The Philippines National Nutrition Council (NNC) has expressed alarm over an increase in overweight and obese individuals, an "emerging problem" in the country, saying that this will result in a future generation of unhealthy Filipinos.

"Unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle are now resulting in many Filipino children being overweight and obese," according to NNC Nutrition Officer Marilou Enteria.

Speaking at the 5th National Conference of the District/City Nutrition Program Coordinator, Enteria added that this could be attributed to the a growing presence of fast food and processed food, which are usually high in salt, fats and sugar.