Contemporary Design Issues

Research data:

Strategy for the Prevention of Obesity – Malaysia

Associated with certain foods or eating response, thus creating the craving for food. Therefore, such situations may lead to patterns of overeating. Learning theories also state that an eating behaviour is reinforced or strengthened when it is followed immediately by a pleasurable activity or experience. These reinforces can be in the form of the positive psychological and physiological experience of satiety, pleasant taste (e.g. foods high in fat, salt or sugar), social approval or acceptance, and distraction from negative events (e.g. relationship problems). In addition to inducing an individual to eat more, these reinforces also change behaviour dynamics in eating, such as bigger bites, eating faster and piling on food on the plate. On the opposite of reinforcement, there is punishment, which is an unpleasant experience. Non-food-related behaviour can also lead to obesity. These behaviours are sedentary behaviours such as sitting or sleeping for long hours, using lifts as compared to stair- walking, driving to places that are within walking distance. In the modern world, mechanisms that reinforces sedentary behaviours include comfort in not moving much, discomfort when walking in hot and humid conditions, rewards for inactivity (e.g. being able to play computer games, having pleasant discussion, pleasant sleep), and punishment for over activity, especially in children. Many sedentary lifestyle- promoting factors such as the television, motorised transportation, computers and other labour-saving devices are increasingly available thus reducing the need for physical activity (French et al. 2001). In today’s working world, the opportunities for physical activity seem to be decreasing as the current lifestyle trends seem to be more geared towards daily career work. Moreover, there is little availability or accessibility in recreation spaces for people to participate in regular physical activities (French et al. 2001). Therefore, there is little behavioural reinforcement for physical activities, thus encouraging more sedentary behaviours.

Since Malaysians having bad BMI state, the government has been united with some of the GO and NGO by intention of organising campaigns consistently year by year to hike the health graph of Malaysian in the eye of the world. As responsibility to overcome obesity problem in Malaysia, as a Non-Government Organisation organised a campaign called ‘My Weight My Health’. This campaign was initiated by Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society. The program consist of a pharmacists, nutritionists and dieticians, to provide counselling and education for obese Malaysians. Then, in 2009, the Malaysian government commenced ‘10,000 Steps a Day’ campaign, to reduce the sedentary lifestyle. This is especially for those who drives to places which is within walking distance. It is more to lecture and increasing Malaysians to walk more than they walk during daily responsibilities where health is not noted well in society as the most essential point of life. For being a country which stands still over the obesity problem, more campaigns were held for promoting the importance of healthy lifestyle. Thus, another program proposed by Malaysian Health Promotion Board which is ‘My Sihat ’. Since clearly campaigns organised for overcoming obesity, still obese are being the biggest sick among Malaysians and biggest group in South East Asia.

Attitudes and the tie of tummy is the best way to be said as a campaign to overcome Obesity in Malaysia. This is not partly said that food is the cause of obesity, human understanding and awareness are the most importantly to be highlighted for the obese problem which never had an end previously in Malaysia. Self-awareness are the best for overcoming obese.

Other than these factors, the technologies are another factor that causes obesity to increase in Malaysia. The tech as online transactions of utilities are one example why people in Malaysia move less from where they sit. Doing work at home system were introduced years ago, unwantedly this method was being overused for being lazy. Since handy electronic appliances are available, looking for things has drop and instead of this, things are coming door by door looking people who is in need. As an example, E-billing is one way where Malaysians prefer more than queuing a row for the utility. Initial intention of technology and the growth pointed as deflating daily tasks for a simple way of solution. So, physically, reduction process of calories are lesser than before and heading towards obese in this country. Tech development in Malaysia land are an opportunity for growth in society and positively pops for the growth of obese too. 

Reference:

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.