A comprehensive study on the health and nutrition of older Filipino adults highlights the need for tailored interventions

19 Mar 2026

Several local studies have been conducted among community-dwelling older Filipinos; however, data gaps in nutrition research exist. In particular, there is a need to understand the interrelationship of various factors surrounding the nutritional status of older Filipinos and their quality of life. Hence, the Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy (HAPPY) Senior Citizens research was conducted in the Philippines as an effort to align with the Decade of Healthy Ageing initiative of the United Nations.

The HAPPY Senior Citizens was conducted to generate comprehensive data on the nutrition, health, functional status, and quality of life of community-dwelling older Filipinos in three provincial cities in the country, covering 12 barangays. A total of 562 older adults participated in the study. The overall methodology of the research was presented in detail with these 10 components: 1) sociodemographic; 2) anthropometry and body composition; 3)
biological samples; 4) diet; 5) lifestyle; 6) functional capacity and physical performance; 7)
sarcopenia and frailty screening; 8) comprehensive geriatric assessment; 9) quality of life; and 10) Geographic Information System.

The data presented in this paper provides a reasonably good representation of older Filipino populations, as their characteristics aligned with other local databases. Specifically, more older adults were females, belonged to the younger old subgroup, and were married. Most older adults live with others, have only reached elementary education, and belong to senior citizens’ organizations. Being underweight is more common among men and those aged 70 and above, while women and those aged 60–69 are more likely to be overweight or obese. More men smoke and drink alcohol than women, and alcohol consumption decreases with age. Over half of the participants depend on their families for financial support, highlighting financial insecurity among older Filipino adults.

The HAPPY Senior Citizens study provides valuable insights into the health and nutrition status of older Filipino adults, thereby offering a foundation to develop targeted interventions. It highlights the need for nutrition and health programs tailored to different age groups of older adults. Efforts like nutrition education, community meal programs, and promoting balanced, nutrient-rich diets can support healthier lifestyles. Given the increasing proportion of older adults in the country, interventions should prioritize addressing malnutrition, improving functional capacity, and enhancing the overall quality of life through evidence-based policies and programs.

Being a low-and middle-income country with a relatively young population, this research is an important milestone in the Philippines Nutrition and Health research scene in aligning its efforts with the Decade of Healthy Ageing initiative. This study is one of the most comprehensive on the health and nutrition of the country’s aging population to date. Other countries with similar demographic structures and economic situations can also benefit from this research.

Authors: Robby Carlo A. Tan (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute | Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research), Kyler Kenn M. Castilla (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute), Angely P. Garcia (Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila), Kristine D. Macatangay (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute), Shelley Ann F. de la Vega (Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila), Michael E. Serafico (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute), Marco Mensink (Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research) and Lisette de Groot (Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research)

Read the full paper: https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/publichealth.2025029

Image by Jovani Algo from Pexels

A comprehensive study on the health and nutrition of older Filipino adults highlights the need for tailored interventions

Several local studies have been conducted among community-dwelling older Filipinos; however, data gaps in nutrition research exist. In particular, there is a need to understand the interrelationship of various factors surrounding the nutritional status of older Filipinos and their quality of life. Hence, the Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy (HAPPY) Senior Citizens research was conducted in the Philippines as an effort to align with the Decade of Healthy Ageing initiative of the United Nations.

The HAPPY Senior Citizens was conducted to generate comprehensive data on the nutrition, health, functional status, and quality of life of community-dwelling older Filipinos in three provincial cities in the country, covering 12 barangays. A total of 562 older adults participated in the study. The overall methodology of the research was presented in detail with these 10 components: 1) sociodemographic; 2) anthropometry and body composition; 3)
biological samples; 4) diet; 5) lifestyle; 6) functional capacity and physical performance; 7)
sarcopenia and frailty screening; 8) comprehensive geriatric assessment; 9) quality of life; and 10) Geographic Information System.

The data presented in this paper provides a reasonably good representation of older Filipino populations, as their characteristics aligned with other local databases. Specifically, more older adults were females, belonged to the younger old subgroup, and were married. Most older adults live with others, have only reached elementary education, and belong to senior citizens’ organizations. Being underweight is more common among men and those aged 70 and above, while women and those aged 60–69 are more likely to be overweight or obese. More men smoke and drink alcohol than women, and alcohol consumption decreases with age. Over half of the participants depend on their families for financial support, highlighting financial insecurity among older Filipino adults.

The HAPPY Senior Citizens study provides valuable insights into the health and nutrition status of older Filipino adults, thereby offering a foundation to develop targeted interventions. It highlights the need for nutrition and health programs tailored to different age groups of older adults. Efforts like nutrition education, community meal programs, and promoting balanced, nutrient-rich diets can support healthier lifestyles. Given the increasing proportion of older adults in the country, interventions should prioritize addressing malnutrition, improving functional capacity, and enhancing the overall quality of life through evidence-based policies and programs.

Being a low-and middle-income country with a relatively young population, this research is an important milestone in the Philippines Nutrition and Health research scene in aligning its efforts with the Decade of Healthy Ageing initiative. This study is one of the most comprehensive on the health and nutrition of the country’s aging population to date. Other countries with similar demographic structures and economic situations can also benefit from this research.

Authors: Robby Carlo A. Tan (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute | Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research), Kyler Kenn M. Castilla (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute), Angely P. Garcia (Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila), Kristine D. Macatangay (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute), Shelley Ann F. de la Vega (Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila), Michael E. Serafico (Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute), Marco Mensink (Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research) and Lisette de Groot (Division of Human Nutrition & Health, Wageningen University & Research)

Read the full paper: https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/publichealth.2025029

Image by Jovani Algo from Pexels