Obesity Statistics In Malaysia

In comparison malaysia s overweight and obese rates stood at 29 4 percent and 15 1 percent respectively in 2011.

Obesity statistics in malaysia. The prevalence of obesity in malaysia over the last three decades since large scale population data became available. Malaysia is ranked sixth in the asia pacific region for obesity and tops the list in south east asia for both obesity and diabetes. Information on the burden of overweight and obesity in malaysia. Obesity statistics from the malaysian national health and morbidity survey in 2006 showed that 43 of malaysian adults were obese or overweight at that time.

Deputy health minister datuk seri dr hilmi yahaya recently said. The world health organization who survey in 2010 ranked malaysia as sixth in asia with the highest adult obesity rate. The concern is understandable as obesity not only increases the risk of contracting various chronic diseases but also puts a strain on the finances of governments in terms of healthcare allocations. The main cause of obesity in children is exogenous obesity which is due to external factors.

How common is overweight problem in malaysia. Malaysia is recorded as the highest number of obese rates in the south east asia with prevalence of obesity was at 13 3 per cent while overweight was at 38 5 per cent farezza hanum rashid 2017. Nhms 2019 defined overweight as having a body mass index bmi of more than 25kg. According to the world health organisation who obesity has been a global public health concern since 1975.

The issue of obesity is nothing new in malaysia or in the world for that matter. Up to 30 of malaysian children were found to be overweight obese. Obesity relative risk disability adjusted life year daly population attributable fraction paf. The information from this study also enables the authorities to develop activities and programs to combat obesity and tomaintain healthy lifestyle among malaysian.

The rise of obesity is not a problem unique to malaysia. In the global context alongside development and prosperity in many countries especially in asia obesity has become a leading health issue.