With childhood obesity emerging as one of the biggest public health threats in the Philippines, the Quezon City Government and Novo Nordisk, together with the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila, officially launch the Obesity Summit 2025.
The event is a landmark multi-sectoral gathering that mobilizes national and global leaders to treat obesity as a disease and take bold, actionable steps to reverse its alarming rise.
Taking place today at the MICE Building, Quezon City Hall, the summit brings together top policymakers, global health experts, educators, private sector leaders, and international partners to debunk myths, highlight medical realities, and develop community-driven strategies to protect the health of the next generation.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored the city’s commitment to health and wellness in her message.
At the heart of the summit is the launch of the Healthy QC Ordinance, a groundbreaking policy establishing a central framework for health promotion in Quezon City.
Recent data from the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) and the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) highlight the urgency: Filipino school-aged children — especially boys—are experiencing significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity, with cases among Quezon City children aged 0–59 months rising by 32.36%.
*Healthy Collaboration*
Novo Nordisk plays a critical role as the private sector leader in the fight against obesity, backed by more than a century of scientific expertise and pioneering programs like Cities for Better Health.
“At Novo Nordisk, we bring our global expertise and innovative solutions to help cities design healthier, more sustainable communities,” said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “Through initiatives like Cities for Better Health, we work hand-in-hand with governments and partners to empower families, educate communities, and expand access to prevention, early intervention, and treatment.”
Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin of the Royal Danish Embassy highlighted the importance of international cooperation. “Obesity is a shared challenge that transcends borders. Through partnerships like this summit, we unite governments, international organizations, and the private sector to create environments where the healthy choice becomes the easy choice.”
The Obesity Summit 2025 champions a whole-of-society approach, calling on families, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and policymakers to act collectively. A key theme of the summit is the integration of obesity education into the national curriculum to help children build healthy habits early. By combining medical insights with preventive measures, the summit moves beyond treatment and targets the root causes of obesity.
“The challenge is bigger than any single institution — but together, we can change the trajectory of obesity in the Philippines,” added Wei Sun. “Our shared goal is simple: healthier cities, healthier families, healthier futures.”
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