Malaysia's latest clinical practice guidelines for obesity management emphasise that obesity is a complex and chronic condition. While behavioural change is the first-line approach, the CPG includes recommendations for anti-obesity medication and surgery.
The National Health Screening Initiative 2023 finds that more than half, or 53.5%, of Malaysians screened are overweight or obese (31.3% overweight and 22.2% obese). The Kospen screening initiative this year also shows 17.1% with high glucose levels.
Malaysia is off course to meet global targets for childhood stunting, wasting, anaemia in women of reproductive age, low birth weight, and adult diabetes.