Health Risks of Obesity
10 COVER STORY
The HEALTH | May-June. 2026
The weight of health
• Obesity is recognised as a chronic disease rather than a cosmetic concern.
• Early intervention can help prevent long-term health complications.
• The goal is improved health, not simply weight loss.
HEALTH BEYOND THE SCALE: Healthcare professionals emphasise that weight management should be approached as a long-term health strategy rather than a short-term cosmetic goal
FOR many people, conversations about weight often centre on appearance. Social media trends, fitness challenges, and quick-fix diets often focus on achieving a particular look rather than on overall health.
Yet healthcare professionals increasingly view weight management through a very different lens.
According to KPJ Healthcare Berhad( KPJ) Chief Medical Director Prof Dato ' Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, obesity is now recognised as a complex chronic disease that can significantly affect both quality of life and long-term health outcomes.
MORE THAN AN APPEARANCE
Far from being purely cosmetic, excess weight is linked to a wide range of medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease and certain cancers.
These conditions not only affect physical health but also influence emotional well-being, mobility and overall life expectancy.
" Weight management is far more than a cosmetic matter," he said.
Recognising obesity as a medical condition is an important step towards helping individuals access appropriate support and treatment. It also shifts the focus away from unrealistic expectations and short-term weightloss goals towards sustainable health improvements.
At KPJ Healthcare, weight-management programmes are designed using a comprehensive, medically guided approach.
Rather than focusing solely on the numbers on a weighing scale, healthcare professionals begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of each individual ' s health status, lifestyle factors, underlying medical conditions and personal goals.
Based on these findings, a personalised management plan is created.
Treatment may include nutritional counselling, exercise recommendations, behavioural support, medical therapies, and, where clinically appropriate, bariatric or metabolic surgery.
The programme also adopts a multidisciplinary approach, involving physicians, endocrinologists, bariatric surgeons, dietitians, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists and other allied healthcare professionals.
Health Risks of Obesity
TYPE 2 DIABETES
SLEEP APNOEA
FATTY LIVER DISEASE
HEART DISEASE STROKE
CERTAIN CANCERS
HYPERTENSION
This collaborative model recognises that obesity is influenced by biological, behavioural, psychological and environmental factors.
As a result, successful weight management often requires more than simply eating less or exercising more.
It involves addressing the underlying factors that contribute to weight gain while helping patients develop sustainable habits they can maintain over the long term.
Prof Hanafiah emphasised that individuals should avoid feeling overwhelmed when starting a weightmanagement journey.
Rather than attempting dramatic lifestyle changes overnight, he encourages people to focus on small, achievable goals, such as cutting back on sugary drinks, increasing daily physical activity, or improving portion control.
Even modest weight loss can make a meaningful difference.
Studies have shown that losing just 5-10 per cent of body weight can improve blood sugar control, reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Importantly, he noted that weight management is not about striving for perfection. Instead, it is about making consistent changes that support better health over time.
Ultimately, the goal is not to achieve an ideal appearance but to improve well-being, prevent disease and enjoy a better quality of life.- The HEALTH