re eating and drinking.

An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a

I was sending my dad to his office this morning when I noticed the headlines on the newspaper he was holding - Fat Nation: Can Malaysians stomach this?

Here are some excerpts that got my attention from this front page article from today's New Straits Times.

1. Malaysia has the most number of fat people in the Asean region. In fact, the number of fat people here exceeds that in many developed countries, including Germany and France.

2. In the last 10 years, the number of fat people has more than doubled.

3. A survey shows that 54 per cent of the adult population is either obese or overweight. Ten years ago, it was only 24.1 per cent.

4. 48 per cent of Malaysian men and 62 per cent of Malaysian women are fat.

5. By contrast, in Singapore, about 24 per cent of men and 48 per cent of women are fat. Only eight per cent of men and 13 per cent of the French are fat.

6. Malaysian Indians are the fattest at 63.4 per cent followed by Malays (53.5 per cent), Chinese (50.8 per cent) and others (45.2 per cent).

7. 13.5 per cent of the adult population is diabetic, compared with only 8.3 per cent in 1996

As we all already know, being fat/obese greatly increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and the list goes on.

It's sad that we actually need a survey and a Front Page article on a newspaper to tell us that we are in worse shape than at any other time in recent history. Just take a look at the people around you.. or the next time you're having your lunch at the restaurant/mamak, just take a look at what they're eating and drinking.

An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a

that in many developed countries, including Germany and France.

2. In the last 10 years, the number of fat people has more than doubled.

3. A survey shows that 54 per cent of the adult population is either obese or overweight. Ten years ago, it was only 24.1 per cent.

4. 48 per cent of Malaysian men and 62 per cent of Malaysian women are fat.

5. By contrast, in Singapore, about 24 per cent of men and 48 per cent of women are fat. Only eight per cent of men and 13 per cent of the French are fat.

6. Malaysian Indians are the fattest at 63.4 per cent followed by Malays (53.5 per cent), Chinese (50.8 per cent) and others (45.2 per cent).

7. 13.5 per cent of the adult population is diabetic, compared with only 8.3 per cent in 1996 As we all already know, being fat/obese greatly increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and the list goes on.

It's sad that we actually need a survey and a Front Page article on a newspaper to tell us that we are in worse shape than at any other time in recent history. Just take a look at the people around you.. or the next time you're having your lunch at the restaurant/mamak, just take a look at what they're eating and drinking.

An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a

en and 48 per cent of women are fat. Only eight per cent of men and 13 per cent of the French are fat.

6. Malaysian Indians are the fattest at 63.4 per cent followed by Malays (53.5 per cent), Chinese (50.8 per cent) and others (45.2 per cent).

7. 13.5 per cent of the adult population is diabetic, compared with only 8.3 per cent in 1996 As we all already know, being fat/obese greatly increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and the list goes on.

It's sad that we actually need a survey and a Front Page article on a newspaper to tell us that we are in worse shape than at any other time in recent history. Just take a look at the people around you.. or the next time you're having your lunch at the restaurant/mamak, just take a look at what they're eating and drinking.

An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a

greatly increases the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and the list goes on.

It's sad that we actually need a survey and a Front Page article on a newspaper to tell us that we are in worse shape than at any other time in recent history. Just take a look at the people around you.. or the next time you're having your lunch at the restaurant/mamak, just take a look at what they're eating and drinking.

An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a

re eating and drinking.

An interesting coincidence I must say, as this issue has been playing in my mind over the last 2 weeks - on how far will we Malaysians gamble with our physical wellbeing before we realise that something needs to be done? I was just talking to a friend yesterday, wondering if we are waiting for a epidemic before we decide to do something? Do we want to wait for the Government to declare a national warning on the health risks involved? Do you need the government to waste millions of our tax dollars to coax you to get up and do something about your health? Or do you need to be on the deathbed, when its too late to do anything about it? It's your life and your body, and YOU are responsible to take good care of it.

Perhaps many of you have the wrong impression of what keeping fit means... Though some of us strive for 'perfection' of our physiques (endurance training, bodybuilding, etc), thats simply because some of us are in love with this sport and the amazing benefits it brings to us. But for most of us, for instance those who struggle with a weight problem/obesity .. all you need to do is get some exercise and be aware of what you EAT! Not just so you can physically look good (thats a good benefit though, if you work hard enough..), but for the sake of your own health.

Ask yourself.. Would you like to live until you're only 45, or 95? Would you like to develop pain in your joints and other complications just because of the excess bodyweight you're carrying around? Are you content just by being able to see your grandchildren alive, or would you prefer to grab them and run around with them at the playground? You decide.

A recent article from USA Today states that 30 million of the 80 million kids alive today will die of heart disease as adults - UNLESS CURRENT TRENDS CHANGE.

Something needs to be done to stem the tide of physical decline, and we need to decide NOW, draw a line in the sand, and turn the tide towards a more fit and healthy lifestlye.