SHAH ALAM – The government needs to focus on grassroots policies to tackle obesity issues rather than relying solely on campaigns.
Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Child and Adult Obesity chairman Kevin Zahri said that education in schools in this country was more focused on academics and tests rather than the importance of health care.
He said although physical education and sports clubs were offered in schools, they were not given enough priority.
"The root of the problem, in my opinion, starts from the school itself. Even if there are sports clubs, they seem inactive. For example, the emphasis on one student for one sport.
"It looks simple but the reality is that students register with clubs but do not receive proper guidance, direction and leadership, making it merely a formality.
"So, students grow up with the mindset that health and physical education are not important because they are not prioritised. Growing up from primary to secondary school and into adulthood, they develop inactive habits,” he said.
Kevin, who is also a health and fitness celebrity, said the report that about 11 million Malaysians were overweight is not something new.
"However, I see the government prefers plans that involve launches, gimmicks and campaigns to encourage people to take action.
"We need to look at the real cause. When these children reach adulthood, they become less active and find it difficult to break these habits because throughout their lives, they have not prioritised health and physical education,” he added.