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Chronic diseases increasingly prevalent among younger people
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Health & Science

Chronic diseases increasingly prevalent among younger people

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are increasingly affecting younger Malaysians, prompting a call for a shift in healthcare approaches.
  • Experts note that many individuals only focus on health after diagnosis, with early signs of metabolic issues appearing in people in their late 30s and early 40s.
  • Factors such as imbalanced lifestyles, work stress, poor diet, and lack of physical activity contribute to the decline in health among the working-age population.

A concerning rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure among younger Malaysians highlights an urgent need to reform healthcare strategies, according to health experts.

Murad Zaidi, a health and active lifestyle consultant, expressed alarm at the trend, noting that many individuals only begin prioritizing their health after receiving a diagnosis for a specific condition. He observed that an increasing number of Malaysians are showing early indicators of metabolic problems and chronic illnesses while still in their productive years.

Many assume serious health issues only occur with age. The reality is that many individuals in their late 30s and early 40s experience high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and excess body fat, which are precursors to more severe diseases.

— Murad ZaidiHealth and lifestyle consultant Murad Zaidi on the early onset of chronic diseases.

"Many assume serious health issues only occur with age," Zaidi stated. "The reality is that many individuals in their late 30s and early 40s experience high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and excess body fat, which are precursors to more severe diseases."

The challenge is not that people don't know what to do. The challenge is making healthy practices a part of the daily routine before health problems start to emerge.

— Murad ZaidiConsultant Murad Zaidi discussing the difficulty in consistent adoption of healthy habits.

This trend is occurring despite growing awareness of healthy eating and exercise. Zaidi pointed out that the challenge lies not in people's knowledge of what to do, but in consistently integrating healthy practices into their daily routines before health problems emerge. He stressed the importance of preventive measures, including regular health screenings and lifestyle changes, to curb the rise of chronic diseases that could impact individual productivity and the national economy.

Zaidi emphasized that health is more than just a medical issue; it is closely linked to productivity, work performance, and a person's overall quality of life. The growing burden of NCDs, which affects the working-age population more than previously thought, necessitates a proactive approach to public health.

Health is not just a medical issue. It is closely linked to productivity, work performance, and a person's ability to continue living a quality life.

— Murad ZaidiMurad Zaidi on the broader implications of health for individuals and the nation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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