QUEZON City observed World Obesity Day with the installation of a health landmark at the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC), Mayor Joy Belmonte said Thursday. Belmonte led key city officials, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin, and executives from Novo Nordisk, a global health care company based in Denmark, in Wednesday’s unveiling of the health totem at the circle. The mayor said the initiative highlights the city as one of the Philippine models for the global Cities for Better Health program led by the company. The program supports cities in strengthening prevention, early detection, and long-term management of noncommunicable diseases. The World Obesity Day event featured a ceremonial turnover of the health totem, a community walk, and public engagement activities designed to promote awareness of obesity as a chronic disease and encourage an active lifestyle, according to the city’s Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD). Strategically located along the jogging paths of the circle, the totem provides accessible guidance on body mass index, waist measurement, risk factors, and healthy behaviors while introducing metered activity stations to motivate physical activity among park users, the PAISD said. Belmonte said the partnership reflects her administration’s whole-of-government approach to preventive health. “Together with Novo Nordisk and the Royal Danish Embassy, we are institutionalizing programs that make healthy living more accessible for our residents — from primary care and nutrition reforms to active public spaces,” the mayor said. Wei Sun, Novo Nordisk Philippines general manager, said cities play a critical role in addressing obesity by shaping environments that enable healthier choices. “Through Cities for Better Health, Novo Nordisk works with Quezon City to translate global evidence into local action by embedding prevention, education, and supportive infrastructure into everyday community spaces,” Sun said. The Danish ambassador cited the importance of cross-country collaboration in tackling global health challenges. “This partnership reflects the strong ties between Denmark and the Philippines in advancing public health innovation. By combining global scientific expertise with local leadership, we can help cities build environments that support healthier lives for generations to come,” Mellbin said.