By Nahrizul Adib Kadri

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, the prevalence of overweight among Malaysian adults was 50.1%, up from 44.5% in 2011 and 47.7% in 2015. Additionally, the obesity rate among adults aged 18 years and older stands at 19.7%. A report by the World Obesity Federation projects that 41% of Malaysia’s adults will be obese by 2035, with an annual increase in adult obesity rates of 4.7% from 2020 to 2035. Clearly this could have severe implications for the country’s healthcare system and economy.

In response, among other things, the government has introduced a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) since 2019. The additional revenue generated from this tax was said to be used to support dialysis facilities and diabetes treatment. In Budget 2024 announced late last year, this tax was increased from 40 sen to 50 sen per litre.

While this and other healthy living efforts are commendable and have their merits, I believe one social aspect that we all can take part in and must address is the normalisation and celebration of obesity. I understand that it can be difficult to confront such a sensitive issue head-on. Saying something as it is, especially when it concerns health and personal choices, is never easy.

However, it needs to be done. Now, not later.

Remember how smoking was perceived in the early part of the 20th century? It was seen as harmless, even medicinal too. I think I’ve seen old ads depicting doctors endorsing cigarette brands, and smoking was a socially accepted norm, even on airplanes! It took decades of research and public health campaigns to shift public perception and acknowledge the severe health risks associated with smoking. Today, smoking is recognised for what it is: a leading cause of various cancers, preventable diseases and deaths.

Similarly, we must be candid about obesity. Just as smoking was once glamourised and widely accepted, obesity is now often normalised and, in some cases, celebrated. This does not mean shaming individuals who struggle with weight; don’t get me wrong. Rather, it means promoting a more realistic understanding of the health risks associated with obesity.

We need to stop glamourising plus-size models, calling obese children “cute,” and labelling overweight women as “curvy” when it is clear that their health is at risk. These euphemisms and positive spins on obesity only serve to mask the serious health issues that come with it.

Obesity has been documented by researchers to increase the risk of many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. According to the CDC, obesity-related complications such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high blood glucose are major risk factors for heart disease. Obesity is also a significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to severe complications if left unmanaged.

On top of that, obesity is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon cancer, with the risk of these cancers growing more serious as body weight increases.

By sugar-coating (no pun intended) the reality of obesity, we are doing a disservice to those who are struggling with their weight and to the wider community that faces rising healthcare costs and a diminished quality of life.

We need to change the narrative. Now, not later.

Instead of celebrating unhealthy body sizes, we should promote the benefits of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. This doesn’t mean shaming those who are obese, but rather encouraging a shift towards healthier lifestyles. It means creating supportive environments where healthy food choices and regular physical activity are the norms, not the exceptions.

In conjunction with Sustainable Gastronomy Day on 18 June, let’s make a commitment to celebrate a healthy lifestyle instead. Let’s eat healthier and move more, taking one day at a time. Focus on doing better, no matter how incrementally small, than yesterday.

Let’s strive for a healthier life for all of us. And stop normalising obesity today, not tomorrow.

_{This article was previously published by TwentyTwo13. The author is an associate professor of biomedical engineering, and former Director of Corporate Communications Centre, Universiti Malaya. He may be reached at nahrizuladib@um.edu.my}