TMM,Wednesday 16 February 2011
Favourite Malaysian pastime may be their downfall
People are overweight due to various reasons. Some chose to be fat, while others tried to reduce weight, but failed.
The majority do not bother and continue to eat and drink all they can, until they are forced by illness to take a break, albeit temporarily.
It is amazing to find there are still people who actually believe that it is good to be fat. Such parents beam with pride when others gawk at their oversized children.
Most overweight people overeat. They consume too much unhealthy food but lack proper nutrition. Their normal diet is limited to their favourite dishes, which get tastier with more fat, oil, salt, sugar and blended spices.
They love processed foods, which are made appetizing with artificial flavours, colourings and preservatives. Many foods, in their natural state, may not be as tasty, but they are rich in nutrients that our body needs.
Many people eat with little restrain, especially over a banana leaf meal or buffet spread. They seem bent on getting their money’s worth.
Most gluttons spot well-developed stomachs and gorge huge amount of food in one sitting. Many were made to eat until their stomachs are very full from young. Instead, we should just eat enough for our nutritional requirements.
If the success of our education is measured by what is consumed, then we have failed miserably. Most children are treated to junk foods and fizzy drinks by their parents, or given pocket money to do so, almost on a daily basis.
The introduction of 1Malaysia Clinics is a good initiative. The lower income group now has access to medical care for minor illnesses, for only RM1.
As prevention is better than cure, counseling services ought to be conducted at selected low cost flats, as these residents tend to be more ignorant.
Studies have shown that the lower income group has a higher prevalence of being overweight. The urban poor are found to be consuming the wrong types of food.
Unfortunately, there are those who attempt to lose weight by eating less or choosing healthier food, but with little success.
Many of them do not realize that their body’s survival instinct kicks in by storing fat when they are under stress.
These stresses can be caused by lack of sleep or water. Unknown to many, getting more sleep and drinking plenty of plain water is the easiest way to remove body fat.
There is no doubt that exercise burns calories, and making us fitter and healthier. Weight bearing exercise can increase muscle mass and body weight, as muscles are heavier than fat.
Perhaps due to our genes and hormones, the same supplement, slimming or diet programme produces varying results for different people.
For those who have found a product that has brought permanent and healthy weight loss, it would be the best investment of their lives.
Do we eat to live or live to eat? Certainly, we should eat right to live well, rather than live by default and eat indiscriminately.
Eating is surely the favourite past time of Malaysians. Some eateries open round-the-clock, and many took the liberty to indulge in more than 3 meals a day.
Disturbingly, the overwhelming favourite is for fried and barbecued food. Even fruits are fried to make them more delicious and enjoyable, such as pisang goreng.
Sweetened desserts and drinks are further washed down with the food. Small wonder why 60 per cent of Malaysian adults are already overweight or obese.
Although the onus is on the individual for lifestyle diseases, government intervention is necessary as they pose a greater danger than communicable diseases and pollution.
Accountability to one’s health is indeed an uphill task when huge amounts of food are available in many public and private gatherings. The hosts are more concerned with their popularity than people’s health, in the name of courtesy.
Eating more food than necessary is a big waste and shame when the extra portion could have fed an equal number of hungry people.
Excessive consumption and body weight will take a heavy toll on productivity and medical care. To many people, eating seems to be the only way they know to celebrate life.
Yet we continue to extol our spiritual and moral values but succumb easily to earthly and sensual pleasures.
YS Chan, Kuala Lumpur
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