SHAH ALAM - Malaysians who are accustomed to being busy at work and often forget to eat at the required times are among the contributors to the country's weight problems.
A survey by Sinar Harian found that many people admitted that this habit caused them to eat late at night after finishing work.
As a result, employers and employees were urged to make the best use of break times for eating or resting, which could help reduce stress, another cause of weight issues.
Assistant secretary Muhammad Syafiq Rojiei, 34, suggested that employers ensure staff eat and rest at required times.
"This practice also helps with the emotional stability and health of employees. If their well-being is taken care of, the quality of their work will definitely improve," he told Sinar.
Live broadcast sales representative, Viviera Veicia Nelson, 25, recommended that employers implement alarm or notification systems to remind staff of break times, especially for those who are too focused on their tasks.
She said that some employees neglect meal times, leading to other health issues such as gastritis or high blood pressure.
"It is not wrong for employers to encourage a healthy work culture among staff," she said.
Private sector employee Muhammad Daniel Zolkefly, 29, suggested that authorities conduct social media campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of eating regularly and consuming nutritious food.
Meanwhile, private sector HR worker Emreanjeet Singh, 29, said that demanding work tasks often leave employees without sufficient break time.
He added that some employees lack awareness about the importance of regular meal times and ignore them to complete their work.
"Relevant parties could conduct campaigns and extend break times so that employees can make the most of their breaks," he said.