Essay --

NUTRITION MONTH MALAYSIA By Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) Secretariat: VersaComm Sdn Bhd (263773-W) Title Malaysia’s battle with the bulge Project EPA Expert Malaysia’s Battle with the Bulge Obesity is one of the biggest problems that face our nation. Learn more about what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic. By [Expert’s Name Here], [Expert’s Designation Here]. A survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 showed that Malaysia has the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia and is ranked sixth in the Asia-Pacific region. This finding is consistent with the Malaysian Ministry of Health nation-wide survey results. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) was meant as a yardstick to measure the health status of Malaysians. It was carried out in 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2011. When looking at the compiled results, it points to an alarming fact – in 2011, obesity has increased by more than 343% since the second NHMS in 1996. However, a follow-up study conducted by the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) showed higher figures when compared against the NHMS IV results. Putting the results of NHMS II, NHMS III, and NHMS IV together merely serves to expose just how serious the problem is. To illustrate the gravity of the situation, take a look at the graph below. A growing problem How did so many Malaysians end up becoming obese? There are many factors that have led up to this situation. At the top of the list is the Malaysian lifestyle. This involves two major aspects, one of which is our national obsession with food. Going out for meals would no doubt rank in the top-three list of favourite things to do with friends and family. We have even made it into a form of greeting when we bump int... ...ur family. Investing in your future Obesity is something that you have a say in. It doesn’t just happen, it happens because you have not taken the necessary steps to keep it away. While changing your lifestyle may seem like a chore, it’s completely possible and can even be fun to implement. All that you really need is a change in your mind-set. It’s alright to indulge in the occasional buffets or to indulge your sweet-tooth once in a while. Just don’t make it the norm! Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the good things in life, it just means not over-indulging. Remember that every little bit goes a long way toward reducing your chances of becoming obese, and at the end of the day, your health will be your wealth! Ref: 1. http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/16/3/561.pdf 2. http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/20/1/35.pdf 3.