“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
Officially launched by the Quezon City Government, Novo Nordisk, and the Royal Danish Embassy in Manila, the Obesity Summit 2025 is a historic multi-sectoral gathering that brings together national and international leaders to treat obesity as a disease and take bold, actionable steps to reverse its alarming rise. This is due to the fact that childhood obesity is quickly rising to the top of the Philippine public health agenda.
The summit, which is taking place today at the MICE Building of Quezon City Hall, brings together top policymakers, global health experts, educators, private sector executives, and international partners to debunk myths, highlight medical facts, and develop community-driven plans to protect future generations' health.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored the city’s commitment to health and wellness in her message. The summit's major event is the Healthy QC Ordinance, a groundbreaking ordinance that establishes a central framework for health promotion in Quezon City.
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| Ms. Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines) Inc., |
Recent data from the Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) and the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) underscore the urgency, revealing that school-aged Filipino children, especially boys, have 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 is a major force in the business sector's fight against obesity thanks to its more than a century of scientific experience and creative programs like Cities for Better Health.
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 encourages collaboration among lawmakers, businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and families in support of a whole-of-society approach.
One of the summit's key topics is incorporating obesity education into the national curriculum to help young children adopt healthy habits. By combining medical expertise with prevention measures, the summit addresses the root causes of obesity in addition to its treatment.
