Obesity In Malaysia Article

However in developing countries like malaysia childhood obesity is prevalent among both the rich and poor families.

Obesity in malaysia article. Farhan not his real name was taken to a private hospital by his parents to seek treatment for an infection on his right leg. To conclude this is not an article to blame the malaysian lifestyle or the culture for infusing bad fitness habits in us. Malaysian lifestyle leads to obesity. The issue of obesity is nothing new in malaysia or in the world for that matter.

The poor families may not have enough money hence consume the less nutritious but high calorie foods which are usually cheaper while the rich families can afford to buy food sometimes make the unwise decision of buying the wrong kinds of food high calories. Obesity means having too much body fat. According to the world health organisation who obesity has been a global public health concern since 1975. It is different from being overweight i e.

As shown in figure 4 malaysia s total cost for obesity as a percentage of nominal gdp ranks top at a range between 0 4 and 0 8 far ahead of all other countries in asean. Its purpose is to explore what patterns we subconsciously pick up from our surroundings that may be contributing to our national plight of obesity. Malaysia is allegedly the fattest country in asia with around half of the population considered to be overweight or obese perhaps more alarmingly the rate of childhood obesity has rocketed to 41 million children aged under five. Malaysia is asia s fattest country with approximately half of the population overweight or obese.

As malaysia proceeds rapidly towards a developed economy status the health of its population will probably continue to deteriorate. A recent study estimates that worldwide gdp losses both from direct and indirect costs of diabetes from 2011 to 2030 will total us 1 7tril comprising us 900bil for high income countries and us 800bil for low and middle. Malaysia is ranked sixth in the asia pacific region for obesity and tops the list in south east asia for both obesity and diabetes. 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 escalation of obesity once thought to be an urban phenomenon has now spread to the rural population at an alarming rate. This article was written by expatgo contributor jennifer dawson.