Obesity crushes Malaysia’s health hopes fast

Malaysia’s love for food masks a grim truth: obesity is a silent killer.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 reveals 54.4% of Malaysians tip the scales too far, with over 2 million battling diabetes and hypertension.

Worse, obesity doesn’t just tag along—it directly savages kidneys, even without those conditions.

Professor Dr Wong Hin Seng from Sunway Medical Centre sounds the alarm: this crisis is shredding lives.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. “Kidneys filter waste and balance fluids,” Wong explains, “but obesity overwhelms them.”

Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance from excess weight spark kidney damage—think protein leaks and failing filters.

Malaysia’s dialysis stats back this up: 56% of new cases stem from diabetes, 30% from hypertension. This isn’t a side issue—it’s a national emergency demanding action.

Why obesity hammers kidneys hard

Obesity isn’t picky—it hits young and old alike. Wong warns, “Teens obese now could face chronic kidney disease by their 30s.”

The NHMS 2023 flags a shocker: 84% of adults aged 18-24 don’t know they have diabetes, and 2 in 5 skip health checks.

Damage creeps in silently—swelling or fatigue only show when it’s too late. That’s a brutal wake-up call.

Lifestyle’s the culprit. Wong recalls kids once ran free, playing football or cycling.

Now, screens rule, and adults slump before TVs. Malaysia’s 24/7 food scene—think midnight mamak runs—piles on processed junk and sugar.

For “obesity-linked kidney risks,” the data’s clear: excess weight speeds up kidney failure, full stop.

Can obesity’s tide be turned?

Hope isn’t lost—early moves can shield kidneys.

Wong urges, “Start healthy habits young.”

Families must ditch sugary drinks for fibre-rich meals and get kids moving.

For adults battling obesity, small wins matter—swap crisps for veggies, cut sugar, walk more. “Taste buds adjust,” he insists. It’s not instant, but it works.

Also, screenings save lives. Kidney function and urine tests catch trouble early, especially for the overweight or diabetic.

Wong’s blunt: “Living with wrecked kidneys kills quality of life.” Advanced stages limit activity and batter mental health.

For “preventing obesity-related CKD,” the fix is simple: act now, not later.

Obesity isn’t just flab—it’s a kidney-crushing menace tied to diabetes and hypertension.

Malaysia’s food culture is a treasure, but it’s fuelling a health disaster. Wong’s right: “Kidneys work 24/7—they deserve care.”

X posts this month echo the panic—users lament rising dialysis rates. Screening and lifestyle shifts aren’t optional; they’re urgent.

Malaysians can reclaim their future, one smart choice at a time.

Professor Dr Wong Hin Seng, is a consultant nephrologist and kidney transplant physician at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City and Clinical Professor in Medicine and Nephrology, School of Medical & Life Sciences, Sunway University.