MANILA, Philippines — In an age when a lot of people are flexing their running statistics and flaunting their toned physiques, the reality is that more and more teenagers are not getting proper exercise.
Results from a survey conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) showed that the share of adolescents aged 10 to 19 who are physically inactive rose to 77.5 percent in 2025 from 75.5 percent in 2023.
The World Health Organization defines insufficient physical activity among teens as lacking at least 60 minutes a day of “moderate-to-vigorous intensity of mostly aerobic exercises” throughout the week.
Data for adolescents differ from those for adults and senior citizens, whose physical inactivity rates dropped 1.2 points to 45.7 percent and seven points to 50.3 percent, respectively.
Adults are expected to get at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises, or an equal combination of both per week, to be considered physically active.
The DOST-FNRI is looking into physical inactivity rates because they are a major driver of non-communicable diseases, such as heart attacks, diabetes and cancer, according to senior science research specialist Maria Stephanie Parani.
The agency admitted that the Philippines may fail to reach the goals set by the WHO on this metric.
“The WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018 to 2030 aims to achieve a 15 percent reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity among adults and adolescents by 2030. However, our findings indicate that the country remains behind in meeting this target,” Mildred Guirindola, chief science research specialist at the DOST-FNRI, said on Wednesday during the 2026 National Nutrition Summit in Pasay.
For instance, physically inactive adults should be around 35 percent in 2025 if the Philippines were to attain the WHO’s targets and drop further to 30 percent by 2030. But since 2013, the figure has been hovering above 40 percent.
Guirindola said physical inactivity may be caused by a lack of open spaces for recreation. “How can you exercise? There is no place in our communities to exercise, walk or bike,” she said.
The DOST-FNRI urged the national government to allocate funds for recreational infrastructure such as cycling lanes, public parks and green spaces where people can exercise.