By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 16: Sarawak has the highest prevalence rate of obesity in Malaysia, with 35.2 per cent of adolescents aged 13 to 17 affected.
Perlis and the Federal Territory of Labuan follow closely, reporting rates of 34.6 per cent and 33.0 per cent, respectively.
In response, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed the National Strategic Plan to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Children in Malaysia 2023-2030, which aims to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing issues like stunting, obesity, and anemia.
In a news report by TVS yesterday (Oct 15), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad highlighted five strategic pillars and 31 initiatives, prioritising the strengthening of nutritional governance through legislation, political commitment, and stakeholder engagement.
“This plan specifically targets children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, and vulnerable groups, aiming to unite efforts comprehensively and effectively among all stakeholders in implementing the outlined strategies, programs, and activities.
“An important initiative is the focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, starting from the first day of pregnancy until the child reaches two years old. This is a key area we are reinforcing,” he stated during a session in the Dewan Rakyat.
Kuala Nerus MP Dato Dr Alias Razak urged the Health Minister to detail the MOH’s plans for creating a master document, such as a Children’s Nutrition Action Plan Blueprint, to address nutritional issues in children, particularly concerning wasting, stunting, and obesity comprehensively and integratively.
Dr Dzulkefly also mentioned ongoing activities in collaboration with private pharmacies and health clinics, including early screening for blood hemoglobin tests for women and expectant mothers, as well as growth monitoring for infants and children.
“The implementation of the Strategic Plan to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Children 2023-2030 is expected to accelerate efforts to tackle malnutrition issues among children, ultimately building a healthier Malaysia starting from early childhood,” he added. — DayakDaily
