Over half of Malaysia's adults overweight or obese, says Health Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Half of Malaysian adults are either overweight or obese, with obesity rates increasing every year, says the Health Ministry.

Out of 50.1% of Malaysian adults, 30.4% were overweight and 19.7% were obese according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019.

Obesity rates are also rising each year, as this stood at 17.7% in 2015, 15.1% in 2011, and 14% in 2006 according to the NHMS studies held in those years, said the ministry.

The next NHMS will be held in 2024.

“The problem of obesity and overweight in Malaysia is now at an alarming level.

“The definition of being overweight is having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2, while for obesity, the BMI is from 30.0 kg/m2 and above,” said the ministry in a written parliamentary reply.

This was in response to a question by Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh (Pejuang-Sri Gading) who asked the Health Minister to state the level of obesity in the country and drastic actions by the Ministry to reduce the rates.

The ministry said to address the issue, the Ministry had established a working committee, which has developed the Policy Option To Combat Obesity in Malaysia document outlining 48 policies to tackle obesity in the country.

“Until 2022, a total of 10 policies have been implemented, including mandating a weight management programme at selected ministries or departments, imposing excise tax on sweet sugary drinks and pre-mixed beverages, as well as enforcing a ban on advertising to children foods and beverages with high contents of fats, salt and sugar,” said the ministry.

It has also formulated the National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia (2016-2025), the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Disease (2016-2025) and a Policy to Combat Obesity (2016-2025) as the frameworks for action to address food and nutrition challenges in the country.