Bitter from the sweet: A recent survey found that one in five participating Malaysians aged between 18 and 40 years had developed symptoms of prediabetes or diabetes. Malaysians as a whole, also have the highest rate of diabetes in South-East Asia. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysians prepare to celebrate back-to-back festivities, health experts are urging the public to rein in their sugar intake, warning that weeks of indulgent eating and drinking could quietly raise the risk of diabetes.
Public health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia cautioned that persistently high blood sugar levels during consecutive festive periods can push the body towards insulin resistance, a key precursor to diabetes.
“Constantly consuming high amounts of sugar leads to insulin resistance, blood sugar overload and other negative effects such as obesity,” she said.
“Over time, this can cause high blood pressure, kidney failure and inflammation, all of which raise the likelihood of developing diabetes.”
She urged Malaysians to approach festive feasts with greater health awareness, stressing that moderation benefits not only individuals but also their families.
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“During long festive holidays, we should be mindful of our sugar, salt and alcohol intake. Setting a good example at home helps keep the whole family healthy,” she said.
Dr Sharifa said younger family members deserve special attention, noting that developing diabetes early in life could mean reduced productivity during their prime years and a heavier burden on the healthcare system.
Echoing the call, Universiti Malaya public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Victor Hoe said people tend to snack more during festive periods, increasing their sugar intake without realising it.
“People must be mindful of hidden sugars in many popular festive drinks and desserts,” he said.
“If you can’t resist, choose smaller portions or share with others to avoid overdoing it.”
He also advised cutting back on sweetened beverages and opting for plain water, at least during festive periods.
Staying active, he added, can help counterbalance richer meals.
“Even a short walk after eating helps regulate blood sugar. Combined with moderation, it can prevent short-term indulgence from becoming long-term harm,” he said.
Consultant cardiologist Dr Sathvinder Singh Gian Singh stressed the need for stronger awareness, especially among young people.
“Counting calorie and sugar intake should become the norm. Educating the public is a crucial first step in tackling our diabetes crisis,” he said, adding that regular exercise remains one of the most effective ways to lower blood sugar levels.
“The longer someone lives with diabetes, the higher the risk of complications, particularly when the disease starts at a young age,” he warned.
The concern comes amid troubling figures. Screening data from life insurance and takaful provider Sun Life Malaysia in 2025 found that one in three participants, or 32.1% of the 5,373 people screened, had elevated blood sugar levels indicating prediabetes or diabetes.
Alarmingly, nearly one in five of those affected were young adults aged 18 to 40. More than half of all participants, or 55.8%, reported consuming sweetened beverages three or more times a week.
World Bank data showed that 21.1% of Malaysians aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2024, the highest rate in South-East Asia.
This marks a sharp rise from 12.1% in 2011, with Malaysia climbing from 16th globally in 2021 to 13th in 2024 for diabetes prevalence.
