OBESITY

 

Obesity is a disease!

Obesity is one of the major public health issues among Malaysian and is associated with a variety of serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition described as excess body weight in the form of fat. When accumulated, this fat can lead to severe health impairments. 

Why it is a disease?

The magnitude of obesity and its adverse effects in individuals may relate to the virulence or toxicity of the environment and its interaction with the host.

Why it is important to accept this concept?

🍰 Removes the feeling that patients alone are responsible for their excess weight. 

🍩Focuses attention on the ways in which this disease process can be tackled.

🍰 Shows that if we can successfully treat obesity, many other diseases will be eliminated.

Obesity in Malaysia is a ticking bomb!

While we recognize that many of us lead sedentary lives and find it difficult to resist delicious but often unhealthy local cuisine, we ignore the fact that Malaysia was Asia's fattest country, with the highest rate of obesity. How did we end up with these statistics? Take a look at the causes of obesity in Malaysia.

The body gains fat when it stores excess energy, and this excess energy arises from consuming more food energy than is burnt in physiological metabolism.

 

Why there is an imbalance in energy consumption and expenditure?

🍟High consumption of energy-dense foods

🍵 Spending too much at the office desk

🎾 Less exercise

🚗 Driving instead of walking

Here, are some recommendations for Malaysians to avoid obesity:

💖Follow a healthy plate according to the concept of “Suku Suku separuh” or “Quarter quarter half”. (Details: ¼ plate – of grains or grain products, preferably whole grains; ¼ plate of fish or poultry, meat, or egg and ½ plate of fruits and vegetables)

💖Exercise regularly. For adults, aim to have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (i.e. brisk walking, cycling with light effort)

Remember, obesity is not just about physical appearance. It is a disease that could give rise to other non-communicable diseases(NCDs). In order to maintain our level of fitness, it is important for us to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes both increasing our exercise and adopting healthy eating habits.