With childhood obesity emerging as one of the most serious public health threats in the Philippines, the Quezon City Government and Novo Nordisk, in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila, have officially launched the Obesity Summit 2025—a historic 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.
The summit, held today at the MICE Building in Quezon City Hall, 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 next generation's health.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored the city’s commitment to health and wellness in her message.
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The Healthy QC Ordinance, a ground-breaking ordinance that establishes a single framework for health promotion in Quezon City, will be launched at the summit.
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, particularly boys, have significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity, with cases among Quezon City children aged 0-59 months increasing by 32.36%.
*Healthy collaboration*
Novo Nordisk is a key business sector leader in the fight against obesity, with over a century of scientific experience and pioneering projects such as Cities for Better Health.
“At Novo Nordisk, we bring our global expertise and innovative solutions to help cities design healthier, more sustainable communities. 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. The challenge is bigger than any single institution — but together, we can change the trajectory of obesity in the Philippines. Our shared goal is simple: healthier cities, healthier families, healthier futures.” ~Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines
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.” ~Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin of the Royal Danish Embassy
The Obesity Summit 2025 advocates for a society-wide strategy, encouraging families, schools, healthcare professionals, corporations, and legislators to work together. The summit's main focus is the incorporation of obesity education into the national curriculum to assist children develop healthy habits at a young age. By combining medical knowledge with preventive actions, the summit goes beyond treatment to address the underlying causes of obesity.
