Abstract
BackgroundMalaysians have become increasingly obese over recent years. The transition from adolescence to early adulthood is recognized as critical for the development of eating and activity habits. However, little obesity-related research focuses on this life stage. Drawing on data from a health and demographic surveillance site in Malaysia, this article describes obesity and overweight amongst adolescents and young adults in a multi-ethnic population.MethodsData were collected at the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) in Segamat District, Johor. In this dynamic cohort of approximately 40,000 people, 5,475 were aged 16–35 in 2013–2014. The population consists of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indigenous (Orang Asli) families in proportions that reflect the national ethnic diversity. Data were collected through health profiles (Body Mass Index [BMI] measurements in homes) and self-report questionnaires.ResultsAge and ethnicity were associated with overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9Kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30Kg/m2). The prevalence of overweight was 12.8 % at ages 16–20 and 28.4 % at ages 31–35; obesity was 7.9 % and 20.9 % at the same age groups. The main ethnic groups also showed varied patterns of obesity and overweight at the different age groups with Chinese at lowest and Orang Asli at highest risk. Level of education, employment status, physical activity and frequency of eating out were poorly predictive of overweight and obesity.ConclusionThe pattern of overweight and obesity in the 16–35 age group further highlights this as a significant period for changes in health-related behaviours. Further longitudinal research is however needed to confirm the observed pattern and investigate causal factors.
Highlights
Malaysians have become increasingly obese over recent years
The 16- to 35-year-old population for whom data were collected in the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) health round is majority Malay (72.6 % and slightly higher than the SEACO population as a whole), followed by Chinese (14.9 %), Indian (10.1 %) and Orang Asli (2.4 %)
Using standard WHO thresholds, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher among males than in females (i.e., 21.0 % compared to 18.7 %), but obesity was significantly higher in females (15.4 % compared to 11.1 %)
Summary
Malaysians have become increasingly obese over recent years. The transition from adolescence to early adulthood is recognized as critical for the development of eating and activity habits. Drawing on data from a health and demographic surveillance site in Malaysia, this article describes obesity and overweight amongst adolescents and young adults in a multi-ethnic population. In Malaysia, obesity rates have increased over the last 20 years [7] and this is a critical public health issue and a priority research area [8]. In these multi-ethnic states, obesity/overweight rates vary across population groups, with the Malay and Indian ethnic. Pell et al BMC Public Health (2016) 16:1082 groups generally recording a higher prevalence than the ethnic Chinese [7, 9,10,11]. The reasons for the ethnic variations remain unclear, given their similar exposure to obesogenic environments [14]
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