PETALING JAYA: While many have complained about gaining weight during the movement control order, research has shown that a lot of Malaysians actually became leaner while they were stuck at home.
Research conducted by market research company Ipsos showed that 36% of Malaysians lost weight during the pandemic, and only 19% experienced an average weight gain of almost 5kg.
This was in comparison to global numbers, where 31% of respondents said they put on weight at an average of 6kg and only 20% managed to shed extra kilos.
The research was based on 22,008 answers collected online from those aged 16 to 74 across 30 countries between October and November last year.
Ipsos senior manager of public affairs Lars Erik Lie said the pandemic has changed daily routines, and while this caused people to gain weight in many countries, weight loss was a more common outcome in Malaysia.
"Among measures Malaysians took include cutting down on sugary drinks and sugar in general," he said.
The research showed that 72% of Malaysians cut down on sugar on their path to a healthier lifestyle, but only 35% were willing to give up or reduce carbohydrates.
Similarly, global numbers showed that sugar was the first to go when trying to lose weight, with 62% of global respondents saying they will reduce or eliminate it.
It also showed that 61% out of the 45% of Malaysian respondents trying to lose weight said they exercised more, but 64% also said they cut down on sweet drinks while another 63% said they went on a diet.
In comparison to global numbers, 52% of the 43% of respondents who said they were trying to lose weight did so by exercise.
About 44% said they also went on a diet while another 38% said they cut down on sugary drinks.
