By Dr Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff and Mohd Shukri Idris

Childhood obesity is no longer a distant concern. It is a growing public health issue in Malaysia. According to the World Health Organization, the number of children aged 5 to 19 living with obesity has increased more than tenfold over the past four decades. National data suggests that nearly one in three Malaysian children are now overweight or obese, raising their risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other long-term conditions.

In Penang, the picture is equally concerning. Based on SEGAK (Standard Kecergasan Fizikal Kebangsaan) data for 2025, obesity among schoolchildren aged 10 to 17 stands at 12.8%. The prevalence is higher among younger children, with 14.9% of primary school pupils affected compared to 11.1% in secondary schools. These figures point to the need for early, school-based intervention.

One initiative responding to this challenge is Program Sekolah Sihat, Aktif, Segak (PROSAS), an eight-week digital programme introduced in 2022. It began as a small community engagement effort led by researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and University of Nottingham Malaysia, with leadership from the Department of Community Health at Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

A key strength of PROSAS is its collaboration with the Penang State Education Department. This partnership ensures that the programme is both evidence-based and practical for schools to adopt.

PROSAS focuses on three main goals: improving awareness of healthy lifestyles, encouraging behavioural change, and supporting teachers to deliver health education effectively. It also provides a structured platform that can be scaled across schools, aligning with national efforts to address child health and nutrition.

The programme is closely linked to Malaysia’s broader health agenda, including initiatives under the Ministry of Health Malaysia to reduce non-communicable diseases. By targeting primary school children, PROSAS aims to address obesity early, before it develops into more serious conditions later in life.

At its core is a structured digital intervention covering three areas: healthy eating, physical activity and psychological well-being. These are delivered through 24 modules accessible via a web-based platform. The system allows students, parents, teachers and researchers to engage with the programme in a coordinated way.

Each module is designed to be practical and age-appropriate. Students learn about balanced diets, simple exercise routines and ways to build motivation and self-regulation. The digital format ensures consistency while allowing ongoing engagement beyond the classroom.

A distinctive feature of PROSAS is its “triad” model, which involves parents, teachers and students. Parents support lifestyle changes at home, teachers act as mentors in school, and students are encouraged to take ownership of their habits. This approach recognises that lasting change depends on reinforcement across both environments.

Since its pilot phase in 2022, PROSAS has grown steadily. What began with one school and 20 participants has expanded to 30 schools and around 300 students across Penang by 2026. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and supported by industry partners, reflecting strong alignment between research, policy and practice.

Early results are encouraging. Families report improvements in eating habits and physical activity, with some students showing measurable weight reduction within eight weeks. Teachers have also gained confidence in delivering health-related content.

As Malaysia continues to address rising obesity rates, PROSAS offers a practical example of how schools can play a central role. By combining digital tools with community involvement, it shows how early intervention can be both structured and sustainable.

If these outcomes continue, PROSAS may offer a useful model for other states looking to invest in the long-term health of their children.

Dr Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff is PROSAS leader at Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), while Mohd Shukri Idris is the Assistant Director of Student Affairs (Hygiene, Health and Safety), Penang State Education Department.