Malaysia’s food culture may bond people together over a variety of meals. But this same food culture has led to 13.3 percent of Malaysians becoming obese, the highest among Southeast Asian countries. According to a United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) survey, 12.7 percent of Malaysian children aged five to 19 years old are obese, the second highest in Southeast Asia behind Brunei.
There is a growing trend in ASEAN that is not so welcomed – obesity. The prevalence of obesity and being overweight among ASEAN’s citizens is increasing due to rising incomes, and urbanisation. It is also placing a strain on the region’s healthcare systems and government budgets.An obese person can be measured by his or her Body Mass Index (BMI) which measures a person’s weight in relation to their height.
There is a growing trend in ASEAN that is not so welcomed – obesity. The prevalence of obesity and being overweight among ASEAN’s citizens is increasing due to rising incomes, and urbanisation. It is also placing a strain on the region’s healthcare systems and government budgets.An obese person can be measured by his or her Body Mass Index (BMI) which measures a person’s weight in relation to their height.
