Obesity Still Widely Misunderstood, Stigma Continues To Delay Medical Care - Experts

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Obesity remains one of the most misunderstood health conditions in Malaysia, often dismissed as a lifestyle choice rather than recognised as a chronic disease driven by multiple biological and environmental factors.

Health experts said the misconception has contributed to persistent stigma, shaping societal attitudes and discouraging many individuals living with obesity or being overweight from seeking timely medical care.

As a result, treatment is often delayed until serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, have already developed.

President of the Malaysian Obesity Society Prof Dr Rohana Abdul Ghani said obesity is a progressive disease, and prolonged untreated obesity substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and other serious complications.

“Early medical intervention is critical. Obesity should be managed like other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension. It requires sustained, long-term care, not short-term fixes,” she said to Bernama after the launch of Wegovy, an adjunct treatment option for adults living with obesity and overweight who present with at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Addressing the popularity of rapid weight-loss diets, she cautioned that such approaches are often unsustainable and may worsen health outcomes.

“Quick diets often result in weight regain and metabolic changes that increase inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Effective obesity management involves gradual weight loss and long-term maintenance under medical supervision,” she explained.

She also highlighted misconceptions surrounding medical treatment for obesity, noting that medication is not a “magic solution” and must be used alongside personalised diet and lifestyle changes.

“Pharmacotherapy is an adjunct to lifestyle modification. Patients still need motivation, discipline and professional guidance to achieve lasting results,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Emeritus Prof Dr Chan Siew Pheng, said Malaysia continues to face a high burden of overweight and obesity, influenced by modern living environments that encourage excessive calorie intake.

“Genetics plays a role, but the environment we live in also strongly supports eating behaviours. We have round-the-clock food availability, 24-hour eateries and social norms where eating together is seen as a sign of friendship and respect,” she said.

Dr Chan noted that such practices make behaviour change difficult, contributing to rising obesity rates among Malaysians.

However, she emphasised that cultural norms are not inherently responsible for worsening obesity, as awareness of the health risks associated with excess weight is gradually improving.

“What takes time is shifting behaviours, not constantly centring social interactions around food and recognising that prioritising health is more important than social expectations,” she added.

Economic pressures have also been cited as a challenge in managing obesity, particularly the perception that healthy food choices are unaffordable, but Dr Chan said this belief may not always reflect reality.

“Malaysia has good food security and a wide availability of food. The issue is often portion size and calorie intake rather than lack of access. Reducing portion sizes and choosing affordable vegetables and fibre-rich foods can already make a meaningful difference,” she said.

Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd general manager Dr Praful Chakkarwar, on the other hand, said that based on national data, nearly one in two Malaysian adults is overweight or living with obesity, with an estimated 2.3 million people affected by obesity alongside other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia.

As such, Dr Praful emphasised the need to shift societal narratives away from blame and towards supportive, evidence-based care, adding that comprehensive obesity management can lead to improvements not only in physical health but also emotional well-being and quality of life.

-- BERNAMA