KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 — About six in 10 civil servants screened in Putrajaya were found to be overweight or obese; over a third were overweight, while more than a quarter were obese.
The screening, part of the Putrajaya Sihat Sejahtera (PSS) programme, examined 5,712 civil servants from 11 ministries as of September 24, 2024. Of those screened, 34.4 per cent (1,964) were classified as overweight, while 26.8 per cent (1,532) were categorised as obese.
The 26.8 per cent obesity rate among civil servants was lower than the 45.8 per cent prevalence of adult obesity in Putrajaya recorded in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019. The administrative capital had the highest adult obesity rate in Malaysia, more than double the national average of 19.7 per cent.
“These findings highlight an urgent need for effective weight management interventions among the workforce,” Dzulkefly said in response to a query by Jempol MP Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli, who sought data on the health status of civil servants and asked how the PSS Strategic Plan could improve their wellbeing and productivity.
The PSS screenings also revealed other health issues. High blood pressure was detected in 20.2 per cent (1,152) of the civil servants screened, while 35.6 per cent (732) had high cholesterol levels, and 12.8 per cent (2,036) showed elevated blood sugar readings.
Additionally, 4.5 per cent (255) of the civil servants screened were referred to quit-smoking clinics after being identified as smokers.
Mental health assessments conducted via the MySejahtera app on 3,967 (13.2 per cent) civil servants revealed that 4.1 per cent (187) were at risk of depression, and 1.9 per cent (90) were at risk of anxiety. Those flagged for mental health concerns have been referred for further evaluation and intervention.
The PSS programme is part of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) broader Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS), a national initiative aimed at transitioning the country’s health system from a focus on treatment to preventive care and wellness.
Under ANMS, the “Trim & Fit” programme has provided nutritional counseling to 69,684 individuals with weight issues at 1,121 clinics nationwide in 2023 alone.
In Putrajaya, the PSS programme has expanded through collaborations with key government agencies, including the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), to promote healthy lifestyles.
Initiatives have included 84 nutrition and obesity prevention events involving over 6,000 participants and the Langkah Sihat Putrajaya programme, which saw nearly 13,000 civil servants from 26 ministries participate in health-focused activities over 15 days from August 20 to September 3 this year.
Dzulkefly said the MOH aims to improve health literacy, encourage active living, and foster a clean and sustainable environment under the PSS Strategic Plan 2024–2030. The plan’s progress will be evaluated through national health surveys and post-implementation studies by 2030.
“This initiative is expected to produce and maintain a larger number of healthy and more productive civil servants. A healthy lifestyle, practiced consistently and with full commitment, can help civil servants enjoy healthier ageing,” Dzulkefly said.
