Congress urged to pass healthy food bill

MANILA — The National Nutrition Council has urged Congress to advance the Healthy Food Environment bill, saying stronger safeguards are needed to protect children from unhealthy food marketing as childhood overweight and obesity continue to rise in the Philippines.

The call was backed by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and other partners during the World Obesity Day Philippine Forum, which was led by the NNC as part of the country’s observance of World Obesity Day.

The forum brought together government agencies, local governments, civil society groups, and youth leaders.

At the center of the push is a proposed measure that would protect children from aggressive marketing of foods and drinks high in sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats.

The bill would include restrictions on marketing in digital spaces and require clear front-of-pack nutrition labeling to help families make more informed food choices.

The measure also proposes broader protections supported by a government nutrient profile model, which classifies food products based on their nutritional content.

At least 20 versions of the Healthy Food Marketing bill have already been filed in the House of Representatives.

The urgency, advocates said, is underscored by children’s frequent exposure to unhealthy food promotions, especially online.

UNICEF’s analysis of digital food marketing to children in the Philippines found that of 1,035 food advertisements analyzed, 99 percent promoted products that did not meet WHO standards for marketing to children.

The same analysis found that most advertisements framed unhealthy foods as fun, tasty, family-oriented, physically energizing, and healthy.

World Obesity Day 2026 has highlighted the rapid increase in childhood overweight and obesity, which health advocates say is becoming a major public health concern.

Globally, projections estimate that by 2035, four billion people, or half of the world’s population, may be overweight or obese.

Over time, these conditions increase the risk of diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.

Health experts say the trend also places added strain on families, schools, and health services.

In the Philippines, an estimated 12.9 percent of school-age children are overweight or obese.

Among adolescents, the rate is 12.5 percent.

The NNC, UNICEF, and WHO said diets in many communities are shifting toward ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks that are heavily marketed, designed for convenience, and often high in sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats while being low in fiber and essential nutrients.

They said this shift makes it harder for families to maintain healthy diets, especially when more nutritious food options cost more or take more time to prepare.

The groups said addressing childhood overweight and obesity requires supportive environments that promote overall health and well-being.

They said safer and more supportive spaces in schools and communities can also help children stay physically active and reduce their risk of noncommunicable diseases.

The NNC, UNICEF, and WHO underscored the importance of an evidence-based government nutrient profile model to help regulators identify which products are healthier and which are high in nutrients of concern such as sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats.

They said such a model would guide policies on marketing restrictions for children, front-of-pack nutrition labeling, and school food standards.

The NNC said it is strengthening its Overweight and Obesity Management and Prevention Programme under the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023–2028.

The program focuses on promoting healthy habits, training local governments and frontline workers, and strengthening data systems to address childhood obesity.

The council said it is also advancing legislation aimed at improving food environments, expanding access to nutritious and affordable food, and protecting children from unhealthy product marketing.

“Obesity is not a failure of individuals—it is often a failure of systems. We must transform our food environments, strengthen our policies, and work together to ensure that healthy choices become the easiest choices for every Filipino.” said Atty. Rosalina U. Bascao, OIC Executive Director IV, National Nutrition Council.

“The Healthy Food Environment bill will strengthen food marketing safeguards for children where they live, learn, and play, and make it easier for families to make healthier food choices. UNICEF will work alongside the Government and partners to turn these proposed measures into everyday reality. Together, we can protect every child’s right to good nutrition,” said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Philippines Representative.

Young people are also pushing for healthier food environments through UNICEF’s Fix My Food initiative.

Under the initiative, young people document what is marketed and sold to them, especially online and around schools, and use that evidence to advocate for stronger regulation that prioritizes children.

“Creating healthier food environments is essential if we are serious about preventing childhood overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. This includes putting in place strong policies to protect children from the harmful marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks, and clear front-of-pack nutrition labelling to help families make healthier choices more easily. WHO will continue supporting the Government of the Philippines with technical guidance and evidence-based assistance to advance these measures,” said Acting WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Eunyoung Ko.

The coordinated appeal from the NNC, UNICEF, WHO, and their partners frames the proposed bill as both a child-protection measure and a long-term public health intervention.