The HEALTH Plus | OCTOBER, 2019
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p18
“MPOB decided to do
this research because
we found that the
obesity rate among
kids in Malaysia is at an
alarming level. Studies
reported that this is
due to lack of a proper
diet and physical
activity. We want to
better understand and
identify how prevalent
obesity is in Malaysian
children.”
— Dr Yap
SMILE FOR PALM OIL: The families that have found palm oil to be very benefi cial for their health and wellbeing, and are
striving to spread the knowledge to other Malaysian families.
Instilling palm oil
pride among Malaysians
Lessons on the health benefi ts of palm oil starts in school
D
BY REENASSRI SEKARAN
O you know that palm oil is the
largest agricultural contributor
to Malaysia’s gross domestic
product (GDP) with a total of
RM44.8 billion in 2017?
Unquestionably, palm oil
industry has been the driving force of the
Malaysian economy for decades. It is vital
to educate the importance of the palm oil
industry by how it impacts our socioeconomic
well-being, and why Malaysians must take
pride in this crucial commodity. Targeting
Malaysians of a younger age group, the Palm
Oil Nutrition School program was introduced.
We spoke to Dr Yap Sia Yen, Nutrition Unit
research offi cer from the Malaysian Palm Oil
Board (MPOB) on this program.
Health dialogue
“MPOB decided to do this research because
we found that the obesity rate among kids
in Malaysia is at an alarming level. Studies
reported that this is due to lack of a balanced
diet and physical activity. We want to better
understand and identify how prevalent
obesity is in Malaysian children,” worries Dr
Yap.
Based on the 2011 National Health and
Morbidity Survey (NHMS), Malaysia topped
the list with the highest population of obese
adults among Southeast Asian countries, at
44.2 percent. In 2015, it shot up to 47.3 percent.
According to a study in Asia in 2013, Malaysia
The Palm Comics has
four books in its series
highlighting important
facts and information on
palm oil
was among the top three countries with a high
percentage (11.5 percent) of obese children
(aged between six months and 12 years).
MPOB noticed that kids were unable
to control their eating habits and that their
mothers are actually determining their diets.
Therefore, they invited the mothers to join the
program as well. “We interviewed them, took
their measurements, body weight, BMI (Body
Mass Index) as well as blood pressure. The
same was done for the children.”
Nurturing palm oil ambassadors
The Palm Oil Nutrition School program also
included a seminar where mothers were
informed on what constitutes a healthy
lifestyle and encouraged them to follow the
Dr Yap hopes that this program will be
benefi cial to the public.
Ministry of Health’s ‘suku suku separuh’ diet
to portion foods. “The seminar also imparted
knowledge on the importance of drinking
water, exercising and the benefi ts of palm
oil. An example would be our love for deep
fried foods – we encouraged them not to use
polyunsaturated oils because these oils can
oxidise easily at high temperature and release
free radical that is toxic for the body.”
The program which was kick started in
2017 and ended in June 2019, covering 20
over schools located 50km near the Malaysian
Palm Oil Board (MPOB) headquarters in places
like Serdang, Kajang, Bangi, Cheras, Balakong,
and Puchong. “After the seminar, we followed
up with the families. This involved visiting the
mothers, interviewing them on their diets and
getting an update on their body weight."
However according to Dr Yap, they still
are analysing the post program results. The
preliminary results did show a worrying fi gure
that more than 20 percent of the children from
the program were overweight and obese.
Comically creative
MPOB also went down the creative road
in instilling knowledge through ‘The Palm
Comics’. This comic which was visualised in
2016 presents and highlights important facts
and information on palm oil in layman terms
and in a visually engaging format.
“Most of the time when research is done,
we publish it in the scientifi c journals which
only target people who are in the scientifi c
industry. What about the rest of the public?
We hope with this program, the knowledge
wi ll reach them. That is also why we have ‘The
Palm Comics’ “hopes Dr Yap. — The Health
Plus