Petaling Jaya: Malaysia is on the verge of obesity if diet and lifestyle habits do not improve. Health and nutrition experts warn.
In response to official statistics showing a surprising rise in the country’s obesity rate, they said it was time for everyone involved to take a closer look at their lifestyle and gradually change.
Associate Professor Barakatun Nisak Mohd Yusof, Associate Professor of UPM’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said recognizing obesity as a disease would be the first step in the right direction.
She explained that this allows individuals to seek early medical intervention, as well as patients with other problems such as fever.
“Most people see obesity from a cosmetological point of view and are unaware that it catalyzes problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes.
“Covid-19 also increases the risk of experiencing serious symptoms in obese people,” she said, adding that nearly 80% of people with type 2 diabetes were obese.
Professor Barakatun added that addressing obesity, especially among individuals with chronic illness, requires a structured approach, as it requires medical intervention and gradual lifestyle changes.
She also points out how only 20% of the population knew of a healthy plate-splitting approach or the Ministry of Health’s “Sukusuku Sepal” initiative, and proactive implementation of this could reduce the country’s obesity rate. He added that he has sex.
The campaign proposes to eat a diet that contains a quarter of carbohydrates such as rice and bread and a quarter of protein such as fish, chicken and meat, with the other half being vegetables and fruits. increase.
Ng Kar Foo, a clinical dietitian and certified obesity educator, also expressed the need to recognize obesity as a chronic disease.
“It requires more than just eating less and moving more, it requires interdisciplinary support and long-term treatment,” he said.
He said that a healthy diet was not a rigorous process if done at the right pace, adding that a healthy diet leads to physical, mental and social health.
Ng added that he should demand better dietary options when eating out as a means of better weight management.
“For example, at Mamak’s restaurant, you can choose Dosa instead of Roti Canai. You can do the same with drinks, and patrons can choose a sugar-free option instead,” he said. rice field.
TeeE, President of Malaysian Nutrition Society. Dr. Siong described obesity as “the mother of all illnesses” and warned of the surprising proportion of school children being overweight or obese.
“A 2017 survey also showed that at least 30% of elementary and junior high school students were overweight or obese.
“If we don’t let this bite into the buds, we hope that within the next 20 years, the number of obese adults will increase and affect their health,” he said.
Education plays an important role in controlling obesity, adding that parents should be a good role model.
Fitness educator and health coach Sebastian Tan said many have tried to lose excessive weight in a short period of time.
“This can lead to burnout, which can lead individuals to retreat and eventually gain weight lost,” he said.
Instead, he said there are other steps that can be gradually implemented as an alternative.
“People can implement simple steps such as moving around and taking more steps every day,” he said.
The Ministry of Health recently reported that half of Malaysia’s adult population is overweight or obese, warning that the problem has reached alarming levels.
30.4% of Malaysian adults are overweight and 19.7% are obese.
Obesity rates are also rising each year, rising from 14% in 2006 to 15.1% (2011) and 17.7% (2015). The next survey will be conducted in 2024.
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