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07 December 2012 | last updated at 01:05AM

Tackling obesity right from young

Read more: Tackling obesity right from young - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/tackling-obesity-right-from-young-1.182630#ixzz2ENhceo74

FIRST 1,000 DAYS PROGRAMME: Move to educate mums on dos, don'ts

SUBANG JAYA: THE Health Ministry plans to focus on fighting obesity to reduce a host of non-communicable diseases (NCD) among Malaysians next year.

Its minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said most NCD such as diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases were caused by unhealthy eating habits which made one overweight or obese.

"It's time to focus on disease prevention as the burden has reached a critical level," he said after launching MedikTv Live Now channel here.

MedikTv, an official Health Ministry channel, is expected to broadcast nationwide in government hospitals and selected clinics next month.

Liow said obesity was closely linked to diet-related chronic diseases which could be prevented.

He said NCD saw a rise in recent years. In 2006 only 11 per cent of Malaysians had diabetes but last year the figure rose to 15.1 per cent.

Also, a study by the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) showed that the prevalence of high blood pressure had risen from 32.2 per cent in 2006 to 32.7 per cent last year. In 1996 only 4.4 per cent of Malaysians were obese but last year it shot up to over 15 per cent with a Body Mass Index of more than 30.

Liow said a "first 1,000 days programme" for infants would be announced next month as obesity was getting younger, moving from older Malaysians in the past, to adolescence now.

"We need to fight it from the infant stage."

He said the first thousand days was the most important to provide the child with proper nutrients, educating the mother on the importance of breast feeding, right diet for the child and ensure parents do not over feed their children.

*non-communicable diseases(NCD) refer to obesity.