With obesity rising as a major driver of chronic disease and healthcare burden in the Philippines, Novo Nordisk today launched the Live Lighter movement, a multi-sector initiative aimed at transforming both public understanding and access to care.
Unveiled at a media launch in Makati City, the initiative calls for a shift in perspective: from viewing obesity as a matter of personal responsibility to recognizing it as a chronic, complex disease influenced by biology, environment, and other underlying factors.
“For almost 30 years, we have studied obesity not as a lifestyle issue, but as a chronic disease. Today is not just about introducing a new treatment option. It is about changing how a country understands obesity,” said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “Through Live Lighter, we aim to help Filipinos treat obesity right—with science, compassion, and with the support they deserve.”
Expanding access to science-based treatment
More than a platform for awareness, the Live Lighter movement also signals a step forward in how obesity is treated in the Philippines by introducing innovative, science-based treatment option that goes beyond traditional approaches.
The launch coincides with the introduction of a new prescription therapy based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works with the body’s biology to help regulate appetite, energy intake, and metabolic processes. By targeting the underlying mechanisms of obesity, this class of treatment represents a shift toward more holistic and medically guided care.
Dr. Christiana Vida Montefalcon, head of Clinical, Medical, Regulatory & Pharmacovigilance of Novo Nordisk Philippines, underscored that for many patients, obesity is not simply a matter of diet and exercise, but a chronic disease that could require long-term health management and medical treatment. As such, newer therapies can play a critical role particularly for individuals who have struggled to achieve or sustain weight loss through conventional methods alone.
“Advancements like these are changing the way we approach obesity care,” Dr. Montefalcon shared. “They allow us to address the biological drivers of the disease, giving patients a more realistic and sustainable path toward better health.”
“This is not just about weight loss,” she noted. “It is about the over-all health and condition of people living with obesity.”
Reinforcing this, Wei Sun added, “Live Lighter is more than a campaign. It is a commitment to change the way obesity is understood and managed in the Philippines. By bringing sciencebased care, including innovative treatments, closer to patients, we hope to empower more Filipinos to take control of their health in a sustainable and medically guided way.”
From stigma to science
Despite its growing prevalence, obesity continues to be framed largely around willpower and lifestyle choices, often delaying diagnosis and limiting access to appropriate care. Health experts at the launch emphasized that this outdated narrative can prevent people from seeking help and restrict the adoption of effective, evidence-based interventions.
“Treating obesity as a disease changes everything, from how patients are supported to how healthcare systems respond,” said Dr. Montefalcon. “It allows for earlier intervention, more comprehensive care, and better long-term outcomes.”
The Live Lighter movement brings together media, healthcare professionals, industry partners, and patient advocates to promote a more informed and compassionate approach; one that centers on patient realities and health outcomes, not just weight.
A growing public health priority
The initiative comes at a time when obesity is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers—placing a growing burden on individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
Recent findings from the Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity in the Philippines (EpiCOb-PH) study highlight the scale of the challenge, estimating that obesity cost the Philippine economy approximately Php 1.9 trillion in 2025—equivalent to 7.3% of GDP—and could reach up to Php 2.7 trillion when overweight-related conditions are included.
As awareness grows, so does the urgency to address obesity through a more structured, science-based approach that integrates prevention, early intervention, and long-term care.
Collective action
Beyond treatment, the movement underscores the need for collective action across sectors to address obesity more effectively—from improving public understanding and reducing stigma to strengthening healthcare systems and expanding access to care.
“Addressing obesity requires more than awareness. It requires a shift in mindset across healthcare, policy, and society,” said Anand Shetty, vice president for Novo Nordisk Business Area Southeast Asia. “With Live Lighter, we are working to move from stigma to science, and from fragmented efforts to a more coordinated, patient-centered approach to care.”
The launch also highlighted the role of global partnerships in advancing local health priorities, reinforcing how shared expertise and innovation can help bring evidence-based care closer to patients.
As the Live Lighter movement gains momentum, Novo Nordisk aims to spark a broader national conversation—one that recognizes obesity not as a personal failure, but as a serious, treatable disease.
“Because when we treat obesity right, we change lives, not just for individuals, but for families and communities,” Wei Sun continued. “That is the impact we hope to achieve through Live Lighter movement.”
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