january, 2019 | Th e HealtH
nUTrITIon
Overweight and Obesity prevalence
among adults in Malaysia
Source: National Health and Morbidity Survey Report 1996, 2001,
2006 & 2015)
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obesity in malaysia
I
Th e shocking truth
F we blindly pick one malaysian adult in the
mall, workplace or home, there is a 50 per cent
chance for us to get a person with overweight
or obesity problem. yes, this is the bitter
truth that we have to accept and deal with.
Th e national Health and morbidity Survey
conducted by ministry of Health showed that
there is an increasing trend in weight problems among
malaysian adults. obesity prevalence increased from
four per cent in 1996 to 17 per cent in 2015, and there
is no sign that this prevalence is decreasing.
Fattest in Southeast Asia
Th ere is another bitter fact that we have to deal with.
Th e Global Status report on non-communicable Dis-
eases published in 2010 reported that malaysia ranked
number one for having the highest obesity prevalence
in Southeast Asia.
Herbalife nutrition Advisory Board member Associ-
ate Professor Dr Hamid Jan mohamed said that being
number one in this category is not something that we
should be proud of. one may say that this is simply a
sign of malaysia being a prosperous country.
“However, Japan which is also a developed nation
has excellent statistics when it comes to weight. So,
where did we go wrong?”
demands which were more physical in nature, but it
isn’t the best option for us now. Today, we work in
comfortable offi ces where we expel very little physical
energy. Th is creates a mismatch between our energy
intake and energy expenditure.”
“obesity is all about energy in and energy out. Th is
is a well-accepted scientifi c fact. Higher energy intake,
exceeding requirement leads to storage of energy in
the form of fat. Generally, an extra intake of 900
calorie leads to an increase in 100 gram of body weight
in a day. multiply this to 365 days a year! Th is is how
our body slowly converts a healthy weight person into
overweight and obese without us realising it.”
What now?
What is the solution for us in the modern world? Th e
rule of thumb is to match our energy intake with our
energy needs by choosing food with lower calories or
by increasing physical activity. yes, eat less calories or
move more to attain a healthy active lifestyle.
In conclusion, a balanced meal with appropriate
carbohydrate, protein, fat, fi ber and fl uid which match
our energy need should be taken daily to prevent and
manage obesity. – Th e Health
Food, food, food everywhere!
Prevalence of Obesity between
countries in Asean and Japan
“once a friend said that obesity is high in malaysia
because malaysia is a “food heaven” where we could
get any type of food, at any time of the day. While
there is some truth to this, my take is that we as adults
should have the capacity to think, choose and decide
on healthy lifestyle. After all, we are what we eat. Do
we eat to live or live to eat? Hence, I would encour-
age all malaysians to equip themselves with basic
knowledge on nutrition such as portion control, high
fi ber and fl uid intake, and practice this knowledge to
the best level.”
We are not farmers anymore!
Source: Global Status Report on Non-comminicable
Diseases 2010
DANGEROUS HABIT... over eating
and lack of physical activities are two
things that lead you straight to obesity.
on another note, we should also realise that the
current dietary options with heavy meals
may not be suitable with our work energy
demand. malaysia developed from being
an agricultural to a more industrialised
country.
“Th e food that our grandpar-
ents used to consume may
be suitable for their work
Obesity is all
about energy
in and energy
out. This is a
well-accepted
scientifi c fact.
Higher energy
intake, exceeding
requirement
leads to storage
of energy in the
form of fat.”