{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1589051,
        "msgid": "childhood-obesity-in-malaysia-over-2-85-million-children-affected-global-report-warns-1772683060",
        "date": "2026-03-05 09:39:12",
        "title": "Childhood Obesity in Malaysia: Over 2.85 Million Children Affected, Global Report Warns",
        "author": "Batam News Asia Editor",
        "source": "BNA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Malaysia faces a surge in childhood overweight and obesity, with over 2.85 million children aged 5-19 classified as overweight or obese in 2025 according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026. The report warns of long-term health consequences, projecting up to 305,000 Malaysian children may show hypertension and about 382,000 could develop early cardiovascular disease by 2040, amid rapid growth in obesity across Southeast Asia. It stresses that global targets to halt the rise in childhood obesity by 2025 are unlikely to be met, urging governments to strengthen prevention, monitoring, and treatment, with regional cooperation needed.",
        "content": "<p>World Obesity Atlas highlights rising health risks among Malaysian\nyouth<\/p>\n<p>Malaysia is facing a growing public health challenge as millions of\nchildren are now classified as overweight or living with obesity,\nraising alarms about future disease risks.<\/p>\n<p>Millions of Malaysian Children Affected<\/p>\n<p>More than 2.85 million Malaysian children aged five to 19 were\noverweight or living with obesity in 2025, according to the World\nObesity Atlas 2026.<\/p>\n<p>The report, released by the World Obesity Federation on World Obesity\nDay, warned that the rising trend could create serious health challenges\nin the coming years.<\/p>\n<p>Long-Term Health Risks Emerging<\/p>\n<p>Researchers estimate that by 2040, about 305,000 Malaysian children\ncould show early signs of hypertension linked to excess weight.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, around 382,000 children may develop early indicators of\ncardiovascular disease, highlighting the long-term health implications\nof childhood obesity.<\/p>\n<p>Southeast Asia Facing Rapid Growth<\/p>\n<p>The Atlas projects that Southeast Asia will experience one of the\nfastest increases in childhood obesity between 2025 and 2040.<\/p>\n<p>By that time, the region could have 40 million children aged five to\n19 living with obesity, while those with high body mass index may reach\n101 million.<\/p>\n<p>Global Targets Still Out of Reach<\/p>\n<p>The report also noted that countries worldwide are unlikely to meet\nthe global target of halting the rise in childhood obesity by 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Despite extending the target deadline to 2030, many nations still\nlack effective strategies to prevent and manage obesity among\nchildren.<\/p>\n<p>Calls for Stronger Government Action<\/p>\n<p>Johanna Ralston, chief executive of the World Obesity Federation,\nsaid the continued increase in childhood obesity reflects a failure to\ntreat the issue as a serious disease.<\/p>\n<p>She urged governments to strengthen prevention policies, expand\nmonitoring and screening systems, and ensure that children affected by\nobesity receive proper care and treatment.<\/p>\n<p>The rising number of overweight and obese children in Malaysia\nsignals a growing health challenge for the region. Addressing the issue\nwill require stronger public health strategies, early intervention and\nsustained cooperation among governments, schools and families to prevent\nlong-term health complications for the next generation.<\/p>\n<p>Sources: Malay Mail (2026) , Yahoo! News Malaysia (2026)<\/p>\n<p>Keywords: World Obesity Atlas 2026, Malaysia Childhood Obesity Data,\nSoutheast Asia Health Trends, Childhood BMI Malaysia, Global Obesity\nReport<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/childhood-obesity-in-malaysia-over-2-85-million-children-affected-global-report-warns-1772683060",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}