Nearly 20% of Malaysia’s population classified as obese
Obesity is one of the most pressing health concerns in Malaysia, with nearly 20% of its population classified as obese.
An obese person in Malaysia. Photo courtesy of nst.com.my.
The World Obesity Atlas projects that this number could increase to 41% by 2035, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies.
This concerning trend comes alongside the already alarming increase in chronic diseases, rooted from what’s commonly known as the "Three Highs" – high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Over half a million Malaysian adults are currently living with all four conditions.
According to the country’s Ministry of Health, Malaysia has one of the highest rates of diabetes globally, with over 3.6 million people diagnosed with diabetes in 2019. This figure is projected to double by 2025.
Even more concerning, many Malaysians are unaware that they have diabetes – statistics reveal that 40% of adults and 84% of young adults aged 18-29 in the country are unaware they have the disease.
According to doctors, obesity leads to insulin resistance, causing the pancreas to work harder to produce more insulin to overcome the resistance, which results in hyperinsulinemia. This compensatory mechanism can eventually progress to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
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