I was sending my dad to his office this morning when I noticed the headlines on the newspaper he was holding - Fat Nation: Can Malaysians stomach this?
Here are some excerpts that got my attention from this front page article from today’s New Straits Times.
1. Malaysia has the most number of fat people in the Asean region. In fact, the number of fat people here exceeds that in many developed countries, including Germany and France.
2. In the last 10 years, the number of fat people has more than doubled.
3. A survey shows that 54 per cent of the adult population is either obese or overweight. Ten years ago, it was only 24.1 per cent.4. 48 per cent of Malaysian men and 62 per cent of Malaysian women are fat.
5. By contrast, in Singapore, about 24 per cent of men and 48 per cent of women are fat. Only eight per cent of men and 13 per cent of the French are fat.
6. Malaysian Indians are the fattest at 63.4 per cent followed by Malays (53.5 per cent), Chinese (50.8 per cent) and others (45.2 per cent).
7. 13.5 per cent of the adult population is diabetic, compared with only 8.3 per cent in 1996
Read the entire story HERE.
As we all already know, being fat/obese greatly increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and the list goes on.
It’s sad that we actually need a survey and a Front Page article on a newspaper to tell us that we are in worse shape than at any other time in recent history. Just take a look at the people around you.. or the next time you’re having your lunch at the restaurant/mamak, just take a look at what they’re eating and drinking.
An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a national warning on the health risks involved? Do you need the government to waste millions of our tax dollars to coax you to get up and do something about your health? Or do you need to be on the deathbed, when its too late to do anything about it? It’s your life and your body, and YOU are responsible to take good care of it.
Perhaps many of you have the wrong impression of what keeping fit means… Though some of us strive for ‘perfection’ of our physiques (endurance training, bodybuilding, etc), thats simply because some of us are in love with this sport and the amazing benefits it brings to us. But for most of us, for instance those who struggle with a weight problem/obesity .. all you need to do is get some exercise and be aware of what you EAT! Not just so you can physically look good (thats a good benefit though, if you work hard enough..), but for the sake of your own health.
Ask yourself.. Would you like to live until you’re only 45, or 95? Would you like to develop pain in your joints and other complications just because of the excess bodyweight you’re carrying around? Are you content just by being able to see your grandchildren alive, or would you prefer to grab them and run around with them at the playground? You decide.
A recent article from USA Today states that 30 million of the 80 million kids alive today will die of heart disease as adults - UNLESS CURRENT TRENDS CHANGE.
Something needs to be done to stem the tide of physical decline, and we need to decide NOW, draw a line in the sand, and turn the tide towards a more fit and healthy lifestlye.
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it’s all in the diet. breakfast like a champ with nasi lemak and teh tarik then followed by morning breask with roti canai and then lunch on banana leaf rice, followed by banana fritters for tea and then dinner of curry fish head will definately make you happy….
and also make you fat, just like the report above!
You are really what you eat.
Most of my super slim (slim thin, not toned) girlfriends who do eat like no tomorrow often claim that,
- they hardly put on weight
- they are ‘blessed’ with high bodily metabolic rate
- they’ve been eating like that forever
but girls, you can say that now but can you come back to me in 20, no make it 10 or even another 5 years retaining your figure NOW?
You may laugh all you want watching me watch what I eat,
watching me drag my trainers and yoga mat to the gym everyday,
watching me watch you smoke, drink like champs
BUT, let’s see who’ll be laughing then when I’d end up looking like Madonna and you’ll end up looking like current Britney.
Watch what you eat, then work what you eat!
You don’t live 24 forever!
Keep planting that in their heads, DM!
Wow! There are 14% more fat women than fat men!
I think it is a combination of BOTH diet and exercise. I remembered that I have a friend who ate so little. No breakfast, milo for lunch and probably 2 small pieces of tiny chicken with small portion of vegetables for dinner. And she is still very much over-weight. And this was when we were just 19 years old. I guess some people are just born with extra low metabolisme rate. I guess all she need was some exercise!
Yoga Instructor, I know what you mean. I missed those times when I can eat 2 Big Macs whenever I go into McDonalds or 3 bowls of rice whenever I eat out. Those were the times. Now as age is catching up, I cut down on burgers and rice, only maximum 1 bowl. I still have friends who eats like a pig and still is super slim. I wonder if they will stay that way forever.
Ban fast food, ban sodas, ban refine sugar. Tell me you dun feel a diff, and I’ll tell u u’ve been cheating. I’m telling u, this is a mid/upper-income desease. Ironic tho, seems like as wealth accumulates, health declines, and a lot of times, so does morale. OK I am goin too deep now… AAUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
stupe: Yeah.. Though I’m glad that our country has such an amazing and diverse choice of incredible food.. something we can be proud of.. I think slowly somewhere along the lines.. Malaysians, instead of being proud of it and enjoying it in moderation.. have ended up being overwhelmed and consumed by it. I don’t know if I’m supposed to LAUGH or CRY when I see the newspapers headlines on Malaysia sending off 2 astronauts that they won’t be able to enjoy their ROTI CANAI in outer space but would have to eat what is recommended by the nutritionists.. come on.. what a JOKE and an International disgrace to even CONSIDER that… The mindset of the people needs to be changed. It doesnt mean that just because we can claim Roti Canai & Nasi Lemak to be Malaysia’s favourite breakfast.. that we also have to stuff ourselves with it not only for breakfast, but for lunch and dinner too. Arrgh.. where do I even start.. sigh.
The Yoga Instructor: Let me assure you.. all this will someday pay off.. for now - we just hope and pray that people start taking their health seriously at a much younger age… not when they’re TOLD to by their doctor.
psharlene: Your friend remained overweight because she sabotaged her own metabolism with her ridiculous diet… I wonder if she realises that?
steveneleven: Yeah, and I think the cellmass is affecting your brain lar. Heh heh.
Thanks everyone.
OH ya, they already say they won’t bring any sambal belacan or durian to the international space station. I think they were more concerned about the other guys getting hooked on them than the health implication.
:)
they might as well bring along Air Nira as the complete hydration package!
stupe: Stop giving them ideas..
some people say its better to eat what we like and die happy but live a long but miserable life jjaga diet… not my opinion but some reasons given by friends when i try to advise them to eat healthily
eksk: Yeah.. I hear that line too often. But I bet you that wont be the reason they give if they’re at their deathbed at the age of 50 and realise that it could have been avoided.
Well… isn’t round a shape? so technically malaysian are in shape..
sinister: Hahaha… i like that one
sinister: Well.. technically yes, but sadly.. No.
By the way, is 16.8% body fat consider fat?
sinister: On average, men have 15 to 17% body fat, while woman between 18 and 22%. Elite athletes can range from 6% to 12% for men and 12% to 20% for women.
So, you’re pretty much average. Of course, there’s always room for improvement.
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