Both hunger and obesity rising in the Philippines

Both hunger and obesity are rising in the Philippines.

One million more Filipino families have joined the ranks of those who experienced hunger due to lack of anything to eat in the past three months, according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations. That brings the number of hungry families to 4.9 million or 22.7% of all Filipino families, up from 3.9 million or 19.2% just last March.

Ironically, based on a survey by the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), the number of overweight Filipinos has also increased -- to 26.6% of total in 2008 compared to 16.6% in 1993. And a good number of these people are not just overweight, they are clinically obese.

This increase came about despite a reported drop in Filipino’s food intake. Clearly, it's what you eat that counts, as well as how much. Jollibee and Chow King should beware of cutbacks.