| Four Out Of Every 10 Adults Overweight Or Obese |
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KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Four out of every 10 adult Malaysians above 18 years are either overweight or obese.
In disclosing this Thursday, Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said according to statistics, the prevalence of adult obesity in Malaysia had more than tripled within 10 years (1996-2006).
In 1996, the prevalence of obesity was only 4.4 percent but it had risen to 14 percent by 2006, while the prevalence of overweight increased from 16.6 percent in 1996 to 29.1 percent (2006), he said.
"While overweight and obesity among our adults have increased, there has not been much increase in physical activity," he told reporters after launching the "Greens For Life" campaign organised by Wellness Concept (M) Sdn Bhd, here Thursday.
Liow said the percentage of adults who adequately exercised for at least 20 minutes three times per week had increased marginally from 11.6 in 1996 to 14.4 in 2003.
Liow said the changing environment, increasing affluence and market globalisation had widened food options and changed people's eating habits.
He said the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey in 2003 revealed that only about 40 percent of adults consumed green leafy vegetables on a daily basis.
He said on average, an adult consumed almost nine servings of food in the meat group (meat, poultry, fish) per day, far above the recommended two to three servings per day.
With such an unhealthy practice, he said, people were putting themselves at risk of developing diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol.
"It is important to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle to avoid from being overweight and obese," he advised.
As for the "Greens For Life" campaign, he said it was a good step towards encouraging the public to change their dietary habits for the better.
-- BERNAMA
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