Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult Malaysians: an update
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Abstract
A total of 4428 adults (>18 years old) from 5 different selected regions in Peninsular and East Malaysia participated in this health survey. Using World Health Organization recommendations for body mass index (HMI), the prevalence of overweight and obesity were found to be 33.6 (95 CI= 32.2, 35.0) and 19.5 (95 CI= 18.3, 20.7) respectively. There were more females who were obese (22.5, 95 CI=20.9, 24.0) compared to males (14.1, 95 CI=12.3, 15.9). Highest prevalence of obesity were among the Indians (24.6, 95 CI=20.3, 29.3), followed closely by the Malays (23.2, 95 CI=21.6, 24.8) and lowest prevalence was among the Chinese subjects (8.2, 95 CI=6.2, 10.6). More than 43 of the 531 younger subjects (<30 years old) were either overweight (20, 95 CI=16.6, 23.6) or obese (13.9, 95 CI=11.1, 17.2). All subjects who claimed to be non-diabetes were required to undergo 75 g glucose tolerance test. Compared to subjects with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), there was a 3- and 2-folds increase in the prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance respectively, among obese subjects (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) who initially claimed to have no diabetes. This study highlights a need for more active, inter-sectoral participation advocating a health-promoting environment in order to combat obesity in this country.
Keywords
overweight, obesity, prevalence, oral glucose tolerance test, Malaysia
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume
20
Issue
1
Additional Information
Times Cited: 2 Mohamud, Wan Nazaimoon Wan Musa, Kamarul Imran Khir, Amir Sharifuddin Md Ismail, Aziz al-Safi Ismail, Ikram Shah Kadir, Khalid Abdul Kamaruddin, Nor Azmi Yaacob, Nor Azwany Mustafa, Norlaila Ali, Osman Isa, Siti Harnida Md Bebakar, Wan Mohamad Wan