The Ministry of Health Malaysia has sounded the alarm on the country’s escalating obesity crisis.
In a recent tweet, the ministry highlighted that one in two Malaysian adults is now either overweight or obese.
The tweet referenced findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which reported a rise in obesity and overweight prevalence from 50.1% in 2019 to 54.4% in 2023.
1 in 2 Malaysian adults is either overweight or obese.”
KKM Poster
The ministry underscored that obesity and overweight conditions significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
In response, the Health Ministry is urging Malaysians to take immediate action.
Recommendations include adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking and alcohol.
The ministry stressed that obesity should not be normalized and called for collective efforts to promote healthier lifestyles.
By raising awareness and advocating for healthier lifestyle choices, the Ministry of Health hopes to curb the rising tide of obesity in Malaysia and improve the overall health of its citizens.
What is NHMS?
The NHMS (National Health and Morbidity Survey) is a comprehensive survey conducted by the Ministry of Health Malaysia to assess the health status and behaviours of the Malaysian population.
It provides critical data for shaping public health policies and initiatives. You can find the key findings here.
“More can be done”
Some netizens raised their opinion regarding the issue under MOH’s tweet.
One raised concerns about diabetes being more common among Malaysians in their 20s.
“Please take care of your health, many people in their early 20s already have type 2 diabetes.“
A netizen suggested putting calorie values labels for food in restaurants.
“Put calorie values in eateries/restaurants.“
Some think it’s the problem of following trends on social media and not being willing to invest in a medical card.
“Hehehe, many of our people like to eat viral foods… willing to buy expensive ones… but don’t want to buy an expensive medical card. Then they complain about being stuck in the clinic.“
What do you think about this issue? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Read more:
