Department of Science and Technology warned that excessive gadget use, lack of sleep, and long sitting hours may raise the risk of obesity and hypertension among Filipino adolescents.
DOST science research specialist Patricia Isabel Amita said the danger increases when these habits happen together, especially among young people who spend long hours on screens with little physical activity.
“On its own may mga masamang epekto yung sobrang screen time, kulang sa tulog at sobra sa pag-upo pero kapag ginawa mo daw po ito ng sabay-sabay, mas tumataas yung chance ninyo na maging overweight, obese at magkaroon ng hypertension,” Amita said.
Amita said hypertension should no longer be seen as an illness affecting only older adults. Citing the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, she said 7 percent of Filipino adolescents aged 10 to 17 were already suffering from hypertension.
“Madalas nating isipin na yung hypertension ay sakit lang ng matatanda pero pinapakita ng aming pag-aaral na maaari rin po itong maranasan ng ating mga kabataan sa aming pag-aaral na 10-17 years old,” she said.
The figure raises concern because adolescence is usually expected to be one of the healthiest stages of life.
“Nakakagulat po iyon kasi sila yung inaasahan natin na mas nasa stage ng life na dapat ay napakalusog,” Amita said.
Amita urged parents to help build more active routines for children, including sports, walks, and family-based physical activities.
“Dapat buong pamilya po ay involved para magkaroon ng pagbabago.”
She also advised children to avoid gadgets at least one hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality. The warning puts screen habits, rest, and movement in the same health conversation as DOST flags early obesity and hypertension risks among Filipino youth.
