According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, out of 50.1% of Malaysian adults, 30.4% were overweight and 19.7%, obese.
Obesity rates have also been on the rise each year from 14% in 2006 to 15.1% (2011) and 17.7% (2015).
The next NHMS will be conducted in 2024.
The report also said those who died from heart disease were mostly aged 41 and above.
Health food shop owner Ang Tun Chek noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns when people were told to stay at home and had more time to prepare their meals, the demand for healthier food options went up.
He said sales in 2020 and 2021 went up two-fold whereby products such as baking ingredients like wheat-free flour and sugar substitutes were best-sellers.
“It was also a period when consumers had more time and opportunity to explore healthier eating options and experiment with recipes.
“Besides items like almond flour and coconut flour, konjac noodles, became a popular purchase.
“It is made from a root vegetable, and is sought by those who want to avoid eating carbohydrates.
“My customers are mostly middle- aged people who want healthier food options to address their health concerns such as diabetes,” he said at his outlet in Bandar Seri Alam, Johor Baru.
Ang, who went through some health issues of his own which led him to start consuming a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet about eight years ago, said the lack of healthier food options and alternatives led him to set up his own shop.
He said that he wanted to provide health-conscious customers a one-stop place where he could also share his personal experience and recommendations.
“I make it a point to source locally made products and help home-based entrepreneurs who produce healthy pre-made sauces and pastries,” he added.
Ang, who went through some health issues of his own which led him to start consuming a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet about eight years ago, said the lack of healthier food options and alternatives led him to set up his own shop.
“My customers are mostly middle- aged people who want healthier food options to address their health concerns such as diabetes,” he said at his outlet in Bandar Seri Alam, Johor Baru.
Ang, who went through some health issues of his own which led him to start consuming a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet about eight years ago, said the lack of healthier food options and alternatives led him to set up his own shop.
