Diabetes situation in Malaysia.
In 2012, the International Diabetes Foundation reported that Malaysia had the highest rate of diabetes in the Western Pacific region, with 2,082 480 diabetes cases and 25,859 diabetes related deaths.
This study found that many people in Malaysia have pre-diabetes and diabetes. The number of people with these conditions are increasing over time, especially as people get older.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 (NHMS 2019):
- 3.9 million adults (18 and above years) had diabetes
- 49% (3.7 million) cases were undiagnosed.
Diabetes is expected to affect 7 million Malaysian adults aged 18 and older by 2025, posing a major public health risk.
The increasing trend is a result of a variety of causes such as increased population, aging population and physical inactivity.
An updated report in March 2022 from New Straits Times reported that one in two adults in Malaysia is overweight while 30% of children between the age of 5 and 13 years old are obese. The report also stated that the cases of overweight people and people suffering from obesity has risen, increasing the risk of Malaysians getting chronic and non-communicable diseases.
There are many factors that can cause diabetes in a person. But according to a report, one of the main causes of diabetes is obesity, which can be linked to our high carbohydrate intake diet.
Therefore, we should start making some lifestyle changes to lower the risk of diabetes developed from obesity. Some examples are reducing additional sugar in our diet, food portion control, increase water intake, doing regular exercises and trying to stay in the healthy weight range.
