Without Breaking A Sweat Malaysia Has Emerged The Champion In Asia

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THIS Asian championship is not won by any particular individual or team but by a massive six million Malaysians who are obese, not counting another six million Malaysians who are not excessively overweight.
They are measured based on the weight and height to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI). Those with BMI ranging from 25 and 29.9 are overweight, and those 30 or higher are obese.
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess fat has accumulated to such an extent that it often has negative effects on health and therefore considered by many organisations to be a disease.
In the National Health Screening Initiative 2023, the Health Ministry found that 53.5% of Malaysian adults screened were overweight or obese, with 31.3% overweight and 22.2% obese. About 30% of Malaysian children were found to be overweight or obese.
Over the years, there were regular reports describing Malaysians as the fattest in Asia or Malaysia was the most obese country in Asia. These labellings may not be definitive but it is so common to see obese Malaysians every day and everywhere that we are accustomed to it.
Aside from lack of regular exercise and physical activity, many Malaysians spend a great deal of time gorging down huge amounts of food that are mostly overly oily, salty and sweet, often with colouring, preservatives and a lot of spices to make them even more delicious.
Taste is given more importance than cleanliness, freshness or freshly cooked. Grilled or deep fried foods are preferred over steamed or stir-fried.
Hot or cold drinks must be very sweet. This is especially true for popular Malaysian desserts, with heaps of sugar also acting as preservative.
(Image: Citizens Journal)Whenever I attended meetings with government agencies, I avoided the overly sweet coffee or tea and snacks served. Whenever I conducted training organised by a government department, I would make a quick getaway to have lunch outside as I do not relish the catered lunch provided.
Whenever I entered a cafeteria in a government building or hospital to check out what is available, I would soon leave without consuming anything, as I could not find anything healthy to eat. It is always better to go hungry or thirsty than consume very unhealthy foods or drinks.
I avoid foods and catered meals that were cooked many hours earlier or cut fruits that were left to oxidise. I prefer foods such as noodles that are cooked to order, and they can be stir-fried or in hot soup. Time permitting, steaming is preferred, such as steamed fish or steamed “water eggs”.
Recently, the Kuantan City Council found that 30% of its 1,300 employees are obese. To underscore the gravity of the matter, the mayor plans to stop the office elevators for one day and force the staff to use the stairs to drive the message home how heavy and unfit they are.
But the odds are stacked heavily against those who wish to make changes for the better, as they would be overwhelmed by existing culture and lifestyle. It is customary to prepare more than enough food in events, and huge amounts are wasted when they are later thrown away.
Eating is not just our favourite pastime, we also eat as much as we can, especially in buffets and banquets. We often ask others or ourselves whether we are full instead of enough. We should emulate the Japanese practice of “Hara Hachi Bu” by eating until 80% full.
But most Malaysians eat until 100% full and beyond, as many are overweight or obese, made worse by an unhealthy diet.
Sadly, there is no indication that Malaysians will change the culture and lifestyle surrounding food. We will remain heavyweight champions for some time. 
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 
- Focus Malaysia.

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