M'sia will experience long-term effects due to stunting, overweight issues

SHAH ALAM - The country will face a double burden due to stunting and overweight issues among the community due to unhealthy or insufficient eating habits.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Nutrition and Dietetics head of department Professor Dr Norhasmah Sulaiman said the issue needed to be resolved jointly by all parties because it has long-term implications for the country.

"This is because these stunted children form an unhealthy cycle if the problem is left untreated.

“Those who are stunted have problems concentrating on learning so even when they grow up, they will not be able to work and earn a good income because they do not have a higher education. Ultimately, productivity is lacking.

"When that happens, they will not be able to prepare nutritious food for the children because they can't afford it, and eventually the cycle will repeat itself," he told Sinar Ahad.

As for the issue of overweight or obesity, Norhasmah said, it would have an impact on the potential of an individual to contribute during the prime of their career.

"Let's say they are 40 years old and should contribute to the country and at that time, their careers should be at their peak, but because of illness and health problems, they cannot contribute to their full capacity.

“It’s a loss to our country," she explained.

To deal with the issue, Norhasmah said, it required a holistic approach including the financial aspect in obtaining healthy food.

"For the stunted case, for example, many studies have been conducted and found that poverty is indeed one of the main causes contributing to the situation apart from the lack of knowledge of the parents in preparing healthy food," she said.

Due to that, she said, efforts to improve healthy eating practices should be done in a way of subsidising or controlling the price of nutritious food.

She added that since many people now ordered food from stores, efforts to encourage the provision of healthy food by traders should also be implemented as an initiative to educate users.

"For example in Singapore, the country's government provides a logo to be pasted on the stall if the trader provides healthy and balanced food as a way to educate those who buy food from stores.

“This is very helpful for consumers,” she said.