29/07/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | JULY 29, 2025

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L IKE any other teenager, Muhammad Mikhael Qaiser Mohd Yuzaini longs to participate in sports and physical activities. But the 14-year-old tires easily, neither can he stand for extended periods or handle physically demanding tasks. The main reason: his weight. As of early March this year, he weighed in at 103kg, a figure considered obese for his height of 168cm. Childhood obesity has become a global health crisis, with poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, fuelled by screen time and lack of physical activity, contributing to this “epidemic”. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Malaysia has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Southeast Asia. Childhood obesity in Malaysia has been on a steady rise over the past 15 years, with over 30% of children aged five to 17 classified as overweight or obese in 2022. (Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Malaysia’s Child Act 2001, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18.) Meanwhile, a study titled Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis published in November 2024, found the prevalence of childhood overweight, obesity and excess weight in Malaysia almost doubled over a 26-year period from 1996 to 2022. According to WHO, in 2022, 37 million children under the age of five were overweight, and over 390 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 years were overweight, including 160 million who were living with obesity. Overweight is a condition of excessive fat deposits in the body, while obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity can lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also affect bone health and reproduction, and increase the risk of certain cancers. Obesity influences the quality of living, such as sleeping or moving. The diagnosis of overweight and obesity is made by measuring people’s weight and height and by calculating the body mass index (BMI): weight (kg)/height (m ). The body mass index is a surrogate marker of fatness and additional measurements, such as waist circumference, can help the diagnosis of obesity. The BMI categories for defining obesity vary by age and gender in infants, children and adolescents. Struggles of a teenager In 2021, when Mikhael was 11 years old and weighed 70 kg, he was offered the opportunity to participate in a study conducted by paediatric specialists at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) to address his obesity issue. His parents were informed as part of the study, Mikhael had a 50% chance of receiving either an actual weight loss medication or a placebo. Wanting to help their only child shed his excess weight, Mikhael’s parents agreed to let him join the study. Over the course of the four-year programme, Mikhael received injection-based treatment. But by the time the programme ended, his weight did not decrease. Instead, it

According to WHO, Malaysia has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Southeast Asia.

Too young, tooheavy

o Malaysia’s rising childhood obesity crisis

health and nutrition – and should always practice the principles of “lead by example” and “walk the talk”. According to him, being overweight or obese at a young age not only affects physical health but can also impact a child’s emotions, self-confidence and mental well-being. “A sedentary and inactive lifestyle is easily carried over into adulthood and difficult to change. Therefore, parents need to help children set boundaries for screen time and video games, and ensure they are consistently involved in physical activities. “Physical activity or recreational time should not be treated as a ‘special occasion,’ but rather made part of a child’s daily routine to nurture their mental, emotional and physical development from an early age,” he said. Touching on his “30-Day Health Challenge” online programme, held monthly throughout the year, Kevin said the response has been very encouraging, with many families participating to support children who struggle with excess weight and obesity. “Many parents initially wanted to enrol only their overweight children in the programme, but I encouraged them to join as a family. This is to prevent the child from feeling ashamed, stressed or having low self-esteem. “It turned out that my approach not only makes the programme more enjoyable for the whole family but they also get to lead a healthier lifestyle. With the ‘fit family’ concept, it becomes more meaningful as they

continued to rise, reaching 103kg by early Ramadan (March) this year. It was later confirmed Mikhael had been placed in the placebo group, meaning he did not receive the actual medication throughout the study period. This explained why there was no significant change in his weight despite the structured programme. This concerned his parents, prompting them to refer Mikhael back to the Paediatric Obesity Clinic at UMMC, which has been operating since 2006, for further treatment in hopes he could eventually reach a healthy weight of around 65 to 70kg. Starting in April, Mikhael has been advised to take an oral medication Metformin 500mg, once daily, and after two weeks, two pills per day to help improve insulin efficiency. He is also required to meet with a doctor every three months for follow-up treatments. Parents must lead While Mikhael’s family is doing their part, experts said the real change must start at home and with consistent parental support. Sharing his views, fitness coach Kevin Zahri, popularly known as “Cikgu Fitness Malaysia”, said parents must become role models for their children, not just in terms of behaviour but also lifestyle, personal

Combating obesity requires concerted effort from all family members, not just the overweight individual. – PICS FROM PEXELS

spend quality time together and support each other,” he said, adding that parents should not rely solely on doctors or schools to look into their children’s health. Kevin said while supplements can be used, for example by athletes or to make up for certain nutrient deficiencies, they are not a substitute for real food because what is more important is making healthy food choices to maintain good health. In conclusion, Mikhael’s experience underscores the complex web of factors that contribute to childhood obesity – from possible genetic predisposition and family lifestyle to eating habits and

emotional influences. His journey also reflects the harsh reality faced by many Malaysian children whose health is silently shaped by daily routines, social norms and limited physical activity. His story is not unique, but rather a wake-up call. If childhood obesity continues to be overlooked or normalised, the long-term consequences on health, well-being and national productivity could be severe. Early intervention, family support and stronger public awareness are crucial to change the narrative – one child, one household at a time. – Bernama