Expert advocates for holistic strategy to combat excessive weight in teenagers

Expert advocates for holistic strategy to combat excessive weight in teenagers

Addressing Adolescent Obesity in Malaysia: A Comprehensive Approach

Malaysia is taking a multi-faceted approach to combat adolescent obesity, emphasizing cross-ministerial collaboration, destigmatization efforts, early detection guidelines, and school- and community-based interventions.

The heart of this strategy lies in multi-ministry collaboration, extending beyond the Ministry of Health to include education, women, family, and community development ministries. This approach recognizes adolescent obesity as a national issue requiring joint action [3]. The Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society vice-president, Dr Yazid Jalaludin, advocates for all ministries to acknowledge adolescent obesity as a problem.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has implemented the ‘Reviewed Policy Options to Combat Obesity in Malaysia (2021-2025)’, with 60% of initiatives targeting children in school and kindergarten settings [1]. The National Strategic Action Plan for Active Living (2016-2025) and the National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia III (2016-2025) also set targets to halt increases in childhood overweight and obesity [4].

School-based interventions are a key component of this strategy. The Healthy Meals in Schools (HiTS) program ensures the provision of nutritious meals to reduce overeating and unhealthy food sales in school canteens [1]. Promoting physical activity through gamified learning, fitness trackers, and healthier snack options in schools is also recommended [2].

Early nutrition and maternal health initiatives, such as the ‘First 1,000 Days of Life’ and the ‘Healthy Eating Responsibility for Women’ (HER) program, aim to prevent obesity from early development [1].

Clear, early screening guidelines for complications of overweight and obesity among adolescents are emphasized to enable timely management before severe outcomes such as diabetes in young adults occur [3].

Destigmatization efforts include recognizing obesity as a chronic disease to enhance insurance coverage and public understanding. Currently, lack of recognition causes financial barriers to treatment [3]. The Galen Centre, moderated by its CEO Azrul Khalib, launched a policy report titled "Addressing Obesity in Children and Adolescents in Putrajaya" [6].

Community engagement is another crucial aspect of this strategy. The KOSPEN program, involving over 7,600 volunteers across 793 localities, acts as community health agents promoting lifestyle interventions, weight management, and health risk monitoring [1].

Holistic school programs, such as the MyBFF@school intervention program targeting emotional and behavioral problems among obese adolescents, demonstrate feasibility but highlight the need for longer, more holistic interventions incorporating psychological support [5].

Dr Yazid Jalaludin mentions potential financial problems for families due to investigative and treatment services for obesity-related complications. Rohana emphasizes that adolescent obesity should be recognized as a complex, chronic disease. Mikhael encourages empathy instead of judgment when dealing with overweight or obese young patients and calls for teachers to advocate for and foster a classroom culture of respect for students with obesity [7].

In conclusion, Malaysia's approach to adolescent obesity is comprehensive, focusing on prevention, early intervention, cross-sector collaboration, and community involvement. The strategies and initiatives outlined above reflect a concerted effort to tackle adolescent obesity more effectively.

1. Recognizing obesity as a chronic disease in Malaysia could enhance insurance coverage and public understanding, thus reducing financial barriers to treatment.
2. The integration of mental health therapies and emotional support in school programs, such as the MyBFF@school intervention program, can provide holistic interventions for obese adolescents.
3. The government, beyond the Ministry of Health, plays a crucial role in addressing adolescent obesity, with ministries like education, women, family, and community development collaborating on this national issue.
4. The Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society vice-president, Dr Yazid Jalaludin, encourages all ministries to acknowledge adolescent obesity as a problem that requires joint action.
5. School- and community-based interventions, like the Healthy Meals in Schools (HiTS) program and the KOSPEN program, aim to promote healthier lifestyles, weight management, and prevent obesity among adolescents.
6. Early detection guidelines for obesity-related complications, such as type-2 diabetes, are essential to enable timely management and prevent severe outcomes in young adults.
7. Science and research have a significant role in understanding the complexities of adolescent obesity, and calls for empathy instead of judgment when dealing with overweight or obese young patients have been proposed.
8. The lifestyle choices and habits that an individual adopts have a direct impact on their health, environment, and overall well-being, making it essential to focus on health and wellness, fitness, and exercise, and mental health alongside weight management in addressing adolescent obesity.

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