Survey Says More Filipinos at Risk of Lifestyle Related Diseases
Recent results of the National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS II) by the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) showed that more Filipinos have hypertension, high fasting blood sugar and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are risk factors to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases. The NNHeS II showed that one in every four Filipino adults (25.3 percent) has hypertension or a blood pressure (BP) reading equal to or higher than 140/90 millimeter mercury (mmHg).
The prevalence of hypertension significantly increased from 22.5 percent in 2003 to 25.3 percent in 2008 based on single BP determination.
The survey further showed that 11 in every 100 (10.8 percent) have pre-hypertension or a BP reading at the range of 130-139/85-89 mmHg. High BP increases with age starting from age
40-49 years.
The prevalence of high fasting blood sugar (FBS), an indicator of diabetes mellitus, is 5 in every
100 Filipino, based on the NNHeS II.
The prevalence increased, though not significant, from 2003 with 3.4 percent to 4.8 percent in
2008. The prevalence of high FBS or hyperglycemia peaks at age 50-59 years.
Moreover, the survey showed that 3 in every 100 Filipinos have impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
IFG may progress to diabetes mellitus in a few years if not prevented.
Hyperglycemia is an FBS level greater than 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while IFG is an
FBS level in the range of 110-125 mg/dL.
Dyslipidemia or abnormal lipid levels significantly increased from 2003 to 2008.
The NNHeS II showed that one in every ten (10.2 percent) Filipino adults has high total cholesterol level, while 21 in every 100 (21.2 percent) are borderline high.
Furthermore, 15 in every 100 (14.6 percent) have high triglyceride level, while 16 in every 100
(15.5 percent) are borderline high.
The prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c)
Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) showed that more Filipinos have hypertension, high fasting blood sugar and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are risk factors to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases. The NNHeS II showed that one in every four Filipino adults (25.3 percent) has hypertension or a blood pressure (BP) reading equal to or higher than 140/90 millimeter mercury (mmHg).
The prevalence of hypertension significantly increased from 22.5 percent in 2003 to 25.3 percent in 2008 based on single BP determination.
The survey further showed that 11 in every 100 (10.8 percent) have pre-hypertension or a BP reading at the range of 130-139/85-89 mmHg. High BP increases with age starting from age
40-49 years.
The prevalence of high fasting blood sugar (FBS), an indicator of diabetes mellitus, is 5 in every
100 Filipino, based on the NNHeS II.
The prevalence increased, though not significant, from 2003 with 3.4 percent to 4.8 percent in
2008. The prevalence of high FBS or hyperglycemia peaks at age 50-59 years.
Moreover, the survey showed that 3 in every 100 Filipinos have impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
IFG may progress to diabetes mellitus in a few years if not prevented.
Hyperglycemia is an FBS level greater than 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while IFG is an
FBS level in the range of 110-125 mg/dL.
Dyslipidemia or abnormal lipid levels significantly increased from 2003 to 2008.
The NNHeS II showed that one in every ten (10.2 percent) Filipino adults has high total cholesterol level, while 21 in every 100 (21.2 percent) are borderline high.
Furthermore, 15 in every 100 (14.6 percent) have high triglyceride level, while 16 in every 100
(15.5 percent) are borderline high.
The prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c)