With global research predicting more than two out of three Malaysian children will be overweight by 2035, the Malaysian government is launching a revolution in healthy eating and exercise to reverse the severe obesity trend. Health experts say it needs to be pushed forward.
This estimate is based on new data released last week by the World Obesity Foundation. Malaysia faces one of the more dire predictions, but despite a campaign launched by the World Health Organization a decade ago, data suggests obesity will soar around the world. Fight it.
In Malaysia, a proposed solution to the obesity epidemic is the opening hours of the hugely popular 24-hour mamak restaurant, which serves inexpensive but high-calorie dishes such as roti canai, a popular fried flatbread. such as limiting the
However, according to Malaysian Medical Association president Azizan Abdul Aziz, such strict measures do not address the root causes of this trend, which are closely related to bad habits formed in childhood. right.
“Education should be our main focus, with regular community-based programs. We have not done enough in this area. It is not effective enough to affect change in the world,” Azizan said in Asia this week.
“Participation in sport and physical activity should be emphasized or encouraged from an early age, including during the formative years of school, as part of a lifestyle to help children remain active into adulthood.”
The Penang Consumers Association's proposal in April to combat obesity by closing Mamak restaurants across Penang was widely condemned by Malaysians, who argued that restaurants are national institutions that serve the needs of many people. He claimed that there was.
Mamak Restaurant is considered one of the last vestiges of multicultural Malaysia and caters to everyone from late-shift workers and college students rushing to finish their papers to soccer fans looking to watch their favorite Premier League team play live. We provide services to.
“We could go to the pub to watch a Liverpool match, but it costs money and some of our friends don't drink. Mamaku is the easiest option for all of us,” said a sales executive. K Kumar, 26, said this week in Asia.
The 2022 Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) found that 30.5% of children are overweight or obese, mainly due to time spent looking at mobile phones and computer screens instead of physical activity. It was found that poor eating habits and sedentary behavior are the cause. .
The Malaysian government has previously launched healthy living campaigns to combat the surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, which are putting increasing strain on the country's healthcare system. .
In 2019, the government imposed a “sugar tax” of 40 sen ($0.08) per liter of sweetened drinks to curb the consumption of high-calorie drinks. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim raised the levy to 50 sen per liter in the 2024 budget.
In a white paper submitted to Parliament last year, the Ministry of Health identified obesity as the main cause of the country's NCD epidemic. It is estimated that approximately 98% of Malaysia's adult population has at least one of her NCD risk factors.
Health Minister Zulkefly Ahmad said last month that Malaysians' poor health awareness was at the root of the crisis.
“We must remember that poor eating habits and lack of physical activity are the two main factors that contribute to obesity,” Zulkeflei says. “Each individual is responsible for their own diet and lifestyle.”
The proposed restrictions on Mamak restaurants sparked strong backlash from Malaysians on social media, with many arguing that people have the right to free choice.
“I'm all for a healthier lifestyle. But if it's already decided, people will eat junk. Freedom of speech, freedom of food choice,” said one Christopher Wu. wrote a Facebook comment on a post about the issue by .
“Mamaks are part of our culture. Educate and [don’t] Assert this kind of control. ”