More than half of Malaysians are overweight or obese and many of them lead unhealthy lifestyles, according to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS).
For example, there are more people who smoke cigarettes but eat less healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, according to research. The NHMS 2023 survey covered 13,616 respondents with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and 9,177 with health care needs.
Research has shown that the number of adults who are overweight or obese has been increasing over the past fifteen years. A total of 54.4% of those surveyed have a body mass of 25kg/m2 or more, from 50.1% in 2019, 47.7% in 2015 and 44.5% in 2011.
The trend in obesity among adults is expected to increase from 9.1% in 2011 to 54.5% in 2023. In 2015 it was 48.6% and in 2019 it was 52.6%.
Despite their worsening physical condition, older Malaysians lead unhealthy lifestyles. The survey found that only 4.9% of adults eat enough fruit and vegetables each day, a decrease of 0.1% from 2019.
“On average, adults eat only two servings of fruit and/or vegetables per day instead of the recommended 50 servings,” the research report says. Each serving of vegetables is equivalent to one cup of raw vegetables or two cups of cooked vegetables. An apple, half a banana, or a slice of papaya will suffice. The study also shows that the adult receives, to try to live a good life.
A total of 13.9% of the 50 to 59-year-olds contained perfect fruit compared to 7.1 – 18 to 19 years of age.
The study also revealed that more than half a million, or 2.5% of adults in Malaysia, are living with four NCDs, namely diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
These diseases are the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Almost 2.3 million Malaysian adults live with three NCDs – 5.1% have a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, 2.9% have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity, 1.2% diabetes, hypertension and obesity and 0.4% diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity. obesity.
Tobacco dependence is also very high, according to research. Smoking among Malaysian adults stands at 19%, with Sarawak and Perlis having more than 25%, while Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya recorded the lowest rates at 15% or less.
Currently Malaysia needs to reduce tobacco consumption by at least 4% to reach the target of 15% or less by 2025.
