MANY Filipinos continue to fall short of recommended nutrition and healthy lifestyle standards, with unhealthy diets compounded by the high cost and limited access to nutritious food.
Based on the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) said energy and nutrient intake across all population groups remains below recommended levels.
Key findings
The 2023 survey shows the following:
• Low nutrient intake: Energy and nutrient intake across all population groups remains below recommended levels.
• High cholesterol and triglycerides:
– One in 10 adults has high cholesterol.
– Two in 10 adults have high triglycerides.
• Physical inactivity:
– Three out of four adolescents are physically inactive.
– Nearly half of adults lack sufficient physical activity.
• Risk behaviors:
– Six out of 10 adults engage in binge drinking.
– Two out of 10 adults smoke.
“These figures highlight persistent nutrition, lifestyle and food system challenges that affect health and well-being across the life course,” the institute said in a post Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
In the Philippines, the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) serve as the country’s official food-based dietary guidelines. They offer science-based advice tailored to Filipino diets and daily living to help prevent noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The NGF encourages Filipinos to:
• Eat a variety of foods in the right amounts.
• Stay physically active.
• Limit salt, sugar and alcohol intake, and avoid smoking.
These messages were translated into Filipino as the “10 Kumainments” by the National Nutrition Council to make the guidelines more relatable to the public.
DOST-FNRI said it is revisiting the NGF using a food systems approach that focuses on commonly eaten Filipino food, promotes appropriate portion sizes and recommends dietary patterns adaptable across different income levels.
The institute said aligning nutrition guidance with real-life food environments can help Filipinos make healthier choices while supporting policies and partnerships aimed at making healthy diets accessible, affordable and sustainable. / JJL