Contemporary Design Issues

Task A

(Argument)

Obese As The Main health problem In Malaysia 

Campaigns Are Effective or its Not?

Malaysia government are always being active in organising campaigns for realisation of the importance of health especially on Obese and Diabetic. Even though, Malaysia still consistently in a place where it is a country which is top in the list in South-East Asia for obese and Diabetic.

“Malaysia recorded the most number of overweight and obese in Asia, so we are bringing this healthy lifestyle campaign nationwide to other states such as Kuala Lumpur and Perak. CAP is targeting some 10,000 visitors to the campaign over the duration of the event,” CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris told reporters, as reported The Star newspaper. CAP called on consumers to keep away from products that damage health and to carry on a healthy lifestyle. The consumption of unhealthy foods rich in sugar, fat, salt and chemicals and the modern sedentary lifestyle of Malaysians have led to steep rises in non-communicable diseases.

(Star Newspaper 2012)

The latest statistics from Ministry of Health showed that more than 17 million Malaysians or 60.7 per cent of the population are currently living with non-communicable disease with many more undiagnosed. Malaysia has the most number of overweight and obese people in Asia: 54% of adult Malaysians are either obese or overweight, compared to only 24.1% ten years ago. Among youngsters, 38% aged between 12 to 18 are classified as overweight. As a result seven out of 10 Malaysian adults suffer from chronic diseases.

figure 1

Obesity can lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer.

Humans have the ability to override signals of hunger and satiety and eat whenever they wish, especially when presented with circumstances that stimulate them to do so. Hence, overeating is a learnt process with regards to modelling, conditioning and habituation. The main behavioural factors that contribute to obesity include:

Excessive energy intake, and diminished rate of physical activity or energy output,

• Greater responsiveness to stimuli associated to food (especially energy dense food),

• Large bites of food and rapid eating –rapid eating allows greater amount of food to be consumed before satiety signals are recognised.

According to learning theories, certain types of food can be associated with certain pleasures, (e.g. eating while watching favourite TV program); or sets of personal beliefs, (e.g. the impropriety of wasting food).

For the main issue here, male faces less obese and diabetic than females in Malaysia. This might be the reason that most of the women are busy chasing dreams by working equally as men does. But according to research restless women is up to face obese and diabetic.

figure 2

Reference:

figure 1:
[Online]http://cdn.healthworks.my/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/overweight-populations-326x159.jpg [Accessed on 2 April 2015]

figure 2 :
[Online]http://archives.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/3/2/health/sf_03chart.jpg[Accessed on 2 April 2015]

1. Mazlan N, Horgan G & Stubbs RJ. (2001). Mandatory snacks rich in sugar, starch or fat: effect on energy and nutrient intake. International Journal of Obesity. 25(Suppl 2): S54. 

2. Poh BK, Ismail MN, Zawiah H & Henry CJK. (1999). Predictive equations for the estimation of basal metabolic rate in Malaysia adolescents. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition. 5:1-14.