Malaysia has the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia, according to a report on obesity in ASEAN nations conducted by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia has the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia, according to areport on obesity in ASEAN nations conducted by the Economic Intelligence Unit(EIU).
The report was madebased on surveys in six Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia,Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
According to thereport, the obesity rate in Malaysia stood at 13.3 percent, while the overweightrate was at 38.5 percent.
The situation costthe country between 4.26 billion MYR and 8.53 billion MYR (1-2 billion USD),equivalent to 10-19 percent of Malaysia’s healthcare spending.
Many factors wereattributed the high obesity rate such as Malaysians’ love for fast food andtheir rich culinary culture. Besides, few Malaysians regard obesity as adangerous health issue.
The report showedthat obesity rates varied depending on ethnic, genetic, regional and economicdifferences. The EIU stressed the role of policy makers to identify at-riskcommunities to devise policies and targeted interventions.-VNA
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Illustrative photo (Source: AFP/VNA) 
