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Majority of Terengganu Residents Struggle with Overweight or Obesity, Data Reveals: Over 988,000 out of 1.3 million inhabitants in Terengganu grapple with excess weight or obesity, according to recent findings.

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Terengganu's Obesity Crisis: Over 76% of Its 1.3 Million Residents Are Either Overweight or Obese,...
Terengganu's Obesity Crisis: Over 76% of Its 1.3 Million Residents Are Either Overweight or Obese, Reveals...

Regional Leaders Advocate for Establishment of Collective Monetary Fund Within ASEAN to Enhance Financial Stability

Tackling Obesity and Chronic Diseases in Terengganu, Malaysia: A holistic approach

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 17 - A whopping 76% of Terengganu's population, representing nearly a million residents, are either overweight or obese, alarmingly up by 15.2% from the 60.8% reported a decade ago, according to the State Health Department (JKNT).

JKNT's director, Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong, expressed concern, pointing out that one in every three teenagers in the state struggles with weight problems, predominantly due to poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles.

This trend, if left unchecked, could escalate the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, and high blood pressure, already common in the state. Among teenagers, the excessive use of gadgets and easy access to unhealthy food are major contributors to this issue.

To combat this, JKNT has been reinforcing public health programs, including the 'War On Sugar' campaign aimed at raising awareness on hidden sugars in food and beverages. Dr Kasemani also advocated for consuming more plain water and preparing healthier meals at home as strategies to curb sugar consumption.

When speaking at a Fun Run as part of the 2025 Obesity Awareness Campaign under the Terengganu State Health Agenda, Dr Kasemani underscored the need for a multi-faceted approach to combat obesity and related health issues. Here's a breakdown of critical strategies:

Strategies for Addressing Obesity in Terengganu:

1. Health Education and Promotion:

  • Introduce comprehensive nutrition and physical education into school curricula to educate teenagers on healthier lifestyles.
  • Engage communities in promoting healthy living through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns.

2. Policy Enforcement:

  • Strengthen regulations on food marketing to make unhealthy choices less appealing to teenagers.
  • Implement policies to ensure access to affordable, healthy food options in schools and public spaces.

3. Family-Based Interventions:

  • Encourage family involvement in promoting healthy habits.
  • Cultivate a supportive environment that empowers teenagers to make healthier choices.

4. Physical Activity Promotion:

  • Support school sports programs to boost physical activity among teenagers.
  • Organize community events, such as running events or fitness classes, to encourage physical activity outside schools.

5. Research and Monitoring:

  • Continuously monitor obesity trends among teenagers to assess the effectiveness of interventions and identify areas for improvement.

To tackle unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, focus on promoting water consumption and healthier meal preparation using traditional Malaysian ingredients in healthier ways.

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Overall, battling obesity and chronic diseases in Terengganu requires a joint effort from various sectors. By fostering education, policymaking, family engagement, physical activity, and continuous research, we can create an environment that nurtures and supports healthier lifestyles among teenagers.

  1. In Terengganu, Malaysia, a significant concern arises from the rising prevalence of obesity among its residents, particularly teenagers, as indicated by the State Health Department.
  2. To combat this challenge, JKNT has been implementing strategies such as promoting health education, policy enforcement, family-based interventions, physical activity promotion, and continuous research and monitoring.
  3. Part of these efforts includes introducing nutrition education into school curricula, engaging communities, enforcing regulations on food marketing, ensuring access to healthy food options, and promoting water consumption and healthier meal preparation using traditional Malaysian ingredients.
  4. Furthermore, a holistic approach to tackling obesity and chronic diseases in Terengganu should involve fostering a supportive environment, encouraging family and community involvement, and continuously monitoring obesity trends to assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies.

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