KEPALA BATAS: Penangites appear to be slightly heavier than the average Malaysian, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He noted that overweight and obesity rates in Penang stand at 56.5%, surpassing the national figure of 54.4%.
"High cholesterol is also more prevalent in Penang at 37.4% compared to 33.3% nationally, and high blood pressure affects 35.4% of Penang residents, exceeding the national rate of 29.2% by 6.2%," he said during the official opening and open day of the North Seberang Perai Wellness Hub at Sungai Dua health clinic on Saturday (Feb 8).
Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 showed that the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Penang is above the national average.
Diabetes affects 20.5% of Penang's adult population, 4.9% higher than the national rate of 15.6%, with nearly 8% (7.7%) unaware of their condition.
Dr Dzulkefly highlighted that an ageing population presents another challenge, with Malaysia projected to reach aged nation status by 2035 when 15% of the population will be 60 years or older.
To ensure a healthier ageing process, he emphasised the importance of promoting a culture of healthy living to reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
"Malaysia's elderly population is steadily increasing. In 2024, seniors aged 60 and above make up 11.6% (3.9 million) of the total population. By 2035, this figure is projected to rise to 15%, marking a 3.4% increase as the nation moves towards an ageing society," he said.
The Wellness Hub at Sungai Dua health clinic is the 33rd established nationwide, offering comprehensive healthcare services, including Zoomers Wellness on Wheels (WoW@Zoomers) for outreach programmes.
"Data from 2020 to June 2024 shows that nearly 1 million clients have visited Wellness Hubs across Malaysia, with 20,000 clients (2.1%) from North Seberang Perai. The IFitEr (I Fit and Eat Right) programme has successfully helped 60% of its participants achieve weight loss," he said.
Wellness Hubs are not just healthcare centres for local communities but also play a key role in behaviour modification by providing guidance, motivation, and social support to help clients achieve better health.
Wellness Hubs offer health literacy programmes, free health screenings, and counselling sessions, enabling communities to identify health risks early and take proactive preventive measures.
