Preventive Healthcare Key To Reducing Lifestyle Diseases, Says Expert

By N. Sevagamy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysians should place greater emphasis on preventive healthcare to reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases and improve their long-term quality of life, according to a health and performance expert.

Transformation specialist and high-performance consultant Syed Mohammad Murad Syed Naseem, better known as Murad “Baddestcoach” Zaidi, said many working adults continue to prioritise career ambitions and financial commitments over their health, often delaying healthy habits until they experience a medical diagnosis or health scare.

Commenting on concerns over Malaysians developing health conditions at younger ages, Murad said busy lifestyles, long working hours, stress and a lack of physical activity has contributed to the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases.

His remarks come amid growing concern over the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Malaysia. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 54.4 per cent of Malaysian adults are overweight or obese, while 29.2 per cent have hypertension, 15.6 per cent have diabetes and 33.3 per cent suffer from high cholesterol.

“Health often becomes something people put on hold. They tell themselves they will focus on it once they become successful, once business stabilises or when they have more time. Unfortunately, many only start paying attention after receiving a diagnosis or experiencing a health scare,” said Murad, who holds a Master's Degree in High Performance.

Drawing on more than 18 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, senior executives and transformation clients, he said the issue is not a lack of awareness, as most people already understand the importance of healthy living.

“Most people know what they should be doing in terms of diet, exercise and recovery. The challenge is maintaining those habits consistently amid busy schedules and competing priorities.

“When health is neglected for too long, it affects energy levels, focus and productivity. Eventually, the impact extends beyond the individual to organisations and the wider economy,” he said.

Murad said greater emphasis should be placed on prevention rather than treatment, noting that lifestyle changes adopted early are generally more effective and less costly than managing diseases after they develop.

“The goal is not merely to help people live longer, but to ensure they remain healthy, productive and independent for as long as possible,” he said.

He encouraged Malaysians to take proactive steps to safeguard their health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition and routine health screenings, stressing that prevention remains the most effective way to reduce the burden of lifestyle-related diseases and improve overall wellbeing.

-- BERNAMA