20/04/2026

MONDAY | APR 20, 2026

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Malaysia’s malnutrition paradox I N Malaysia, our language of love is food. The simple question “ Sudah makan ?” is the heartbeat of our care for one another. But as COMMENT by Prof Dr Chong Li Choo

RM2 meal that is hot, filling and fits a shrinking budget. While the starches provide immediate energy, they lack the protein, iron and calcium required for a child’s brain and bones to reach their full potential, often leading to a child who is simultaneously overweight from calories and stunted from the lack of nutrients. Even in affluent areas like Putrajaya, the paradox persists. Putrajaya has the lowest poverty rate in the country, yet its stunting rate (24.3%) mirrors some of our lower income states. Experts from the Health Ministry point to a phenomenon called “working-parent fatigue”. In a city where nearly 80% of households have two working parents, mealtimes are often outsourced to daycares with unregulated feeding routines or quick takeaway meals. We aren’t failing as parents; we are operating in a system where the “convenient” choice is rarely the “nutrition-packed” one. innovation The solution is to change the food itself. We must stop treating “convenience” as the enemy. The market must provide convenience that actually nourishes to support growth, learning and overall development. Malaysia has already made progress, such as the 2025 ban on 12 junk food categories in school canteens. But to truly protect our future generation, we must go further: 0 From theory to habit: Our current physical and health education curriculum is a start but we should adopt elements of Japan’s Shokuiku model. This means transforming school lunch into a hands-on “classroom” where kids don’t just read about vitamins, they learn the practical life skill of building a Bridging the gap through same: to harm, to hurt emotionally, socially and sometimes physically. It may begin subtly, with micro aggressions (such as “You look so exotic!”), but can quickly escalate into overt threats or incitements to violence. The spread of hate speech is a global issue, not confined to any one country. Fuelled by the rapid transmission of information and algorithm-driven platforms, social media amplifies extreme views. These platforms are designed around engagement, often prioritising the most provocative content because it generates the most interaction. As a result, hate speech now spreads faster and reaches wider audiences than ever before. Linguistic research has identified a chilling pattern: words like “vermin”, “cockroach” and “parasite” frequently appear in hate speeches, dehumanising targeted groups and

a researcher in food innovation and a mother of two young children, I have begun to hear that question with a heavy heart. Across our school canteens, childcare centres and family kitchens, a troubling pattern is emerging: our children are growing wider but many are not growing taller. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2024, Malaysia is facing a “double burden” of malnutrition that is truly a national emergency. Nearly one in four toddlers is stunted (24.3%) while over 30% of our school-age children are overweight or obese. We are a regional outlier: while neighbours like Thailand and Vietnam have slashed their stunting rates, ours have regressed. The burden, not the blame We often hear that parents need to “make better choices”. But as a mother balancing a demanding career, I know that “choice” is a luxury of time and money. When we return home after a long day, the energy to prepare a nutrient dense meal from scratch is often gone. The reality is that a child does not choose what is in their lunchbox; they eat from the environment we provide. However, for many Malaysian families, that environment is designed for convenience, not necessarily for optimal growth. In underserved communities, this is often a matter of survival. Studies reveal that students in low-income households consume less expensive but non-nutritious foods like instant noodles, which offer immediate satiety for a fraction of the cost of a balanced meal. These families aren’t “choosing” poor health; they are choosing the AS we scroll through our social media feeds, it is hard not to notice the flood of hate speech that emerges whenever controversial or sensational topics arise. Some users shy away, others remain silent observers while a vocal few dive into the fray either to mediate or to escalate tensions. But what does engaging with or merely witnessing hate speech do to us? From a linguistic perspective, hate speech refers to language that expresses, incites or legitimises discrimination, hostility or violence against individuals or groups based on attributes like race, ethnicity, religion, gender or other identity markers. It often includes derogatory labels, dehumanising metaphors and rhetorical strategies that entrench social divisions and reinforce power imbalances. Whether we call it hate lingo, verbal violence or linguistic aggression, its purpose remains the

We should transform school lunches into a hands-on ‘classroom’ where kids don’t just read about vitamins; they learn the practical life skill of building a balanced plate. – SUNPIC

When a child sits down for a meal, the choices on that plate reflect the world we have built for them. If we want our next generation to grow stronger, we must ensure that the “easy” choice is also the “healthy” one. As we reflect on Global Child Nutrition month in April, let us lead by example – on the plate and in the policy. Our children are growing. Let’s make sure they grow up well. Dr Chong Li Choo is a professor at Taylor’s Culinary Institute, under the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management at Taylor’s University. She is also the director of Food Security and Nutrition Impact Lab. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com connected world. Instead, we can take meaningful steps to reduce our exposure to and participation in hate speech. Here are a few practical strategies: 0 Limit screen time to reduce contact with toxic content. 0 Curate your digital space by following accounts that promote respectful and constructive discourse. 0 Think critically about the content you consume and share online. 0 Be aware of algorithms that prioritise controversial content and don’t fall into the trap of outrage based engagement. Before posting something hateful, take a moment and ask yourself: Will these words help or harm? Language is powerful. Let’s choose to use it to connect, not divide. Dr Habibah Ismail is a lecturer while Siti Nur Baiin Che Harun is a language teacher, both at the Faculty of Major Language Studies, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

balanced plate. Schools can foster healthier dietary environments by involving parents in meal selection and preparation alongside their children, enabling them to serve as role models for healthy eating which is a core recommendation of the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2023. Health and food organisations can also provide parents with practical knowledge and support with interactive nutrition talks and parent child cooking competitions to bridge the gap between classroom theory and home practice. 0 Empower markets: We need to incentivise the food industry to move away from “fillers”, which are inexpensive ingredients added to paving the way for violence against them. Historically, such language has preceded atrocities like genocide. When hate speech becomes normalised, it reshapes public perception and creates a climate where discrimination and aggression are seen as acceptable. Surprisingly, hate speech can also be addictive. Studies suggest that for some individuals, exposure to negativity triggers dopamine release drawing them back for more, much like a drug. But just as drugs harm the body, chronic exposure to hate speech damages cognitive and emotional health. A 2023 study found that prolonged exposure to online hate speech diminishes our capacity for empathy. Over time, people become desensitised to others’ suffering, especially those outside their own social or cultural groups. This erosion of empathy can threaten

increase volume, weight or texture and towards nutrient-packed, affordable convenience foods specifically designed for the realities of modern urban life. It could be in the form of ready-to-eat meals that have high-density nutrition “baked in” to bridge the gap between nutrition and convenience. 0 Protective policies: While adults may not always see it, our children are relentlessly targeted by “invisible” marketing on social media platforms. Studies estimate that children see advertisements for unhealthy food up to 30 times a week, often through influencers and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) content that shape their cravings before they even understand what a calorie is. social cohesion and risk deepening societal divides. And it is not just adults who are affected. A global survey of 31,790 children aged 12 to 16 across 36 countries revealed that a significant number had encountered hate messages or violent imagery online. This exposure is deeply concerning, risking nurturing a new generation that normalises prejudice and intolerance. Difference between hate speech and sharing an opinion The distinction lies in intent and impact. Hate speech promotes harm, often through inflammatory or dehumanising language. Sharing an opinion, by contrast, involves reasoned discourse that challenges ideas without inciting violence or hostility. While opinions foster dialogue, hate speech aims to silence, provoke or oppress. What can we do? While quitting social media entirely may seem like the ideal solution, it is hardly realistic in today’s hyper

The linguistic violence of social media COMMENT by Dr Habibah Ismail and Siti Nur Baiin Che Harun