KOTA BAHARU, June 6- The health department will team up with non-governmental organistions and the private sector to intensify campaigns on healthy food and lifestyle in reducing incidence of non-communicable diseases among the people.
Health deputy director general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Sulaiman (photo) said the increase in patients suffering from diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity was closely linked to unhealthy lifestyle.
“The National Health Morbidity Survey 2011 found that obesity prevalence in the country has risen threefold from 4.4 percent in 1996 to 15.1 percent in 2011, constituting about 2.5 million of the population,” he told reporters after opening the 8th Kelantan Health Conference, here today.
Dr Lokman said the prevalence of diabetes among adults in Malaysia had also risen from 11.6 percent in 2006 to 15.2 percent in 2011, which constituted about 2.6 million of the population.
“The prevalence of high blood pressure remains high at 35.1 percent or about 5.8 million Malaysians and it is estimated that about 32.7 percent or 6.2 million Malaysians have been diagnosed with hypercholesterolaemia,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the campaigns would also be carried out in schools as an early prevention measure.
– BERNAMA
