MALAYSIA: Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, who revealed this, said the Government's many promotions to get people to lead a healthy lifestyle, has not worked.
"Nearly half or 43.1 per cent of the adult population are overweight and this is a serious problem," he said, adding that leading a sedentary lifestyle could pose serious health problems.
Liow added, "One in every three adult Malaysians suffers from hypertension while one in five has high blood cholesterol levels."
People suffering from heart diseases have also increased by 18 per cent from 37,284 in 2003 to 44,2001 in 2006, while deaths from coronary heart disease increased by 36 per cent from 2,697 to 3,673 for the corresponding period, he said.
He said the ministry was targeting the young through its Dr Muda programme in primary schools and hopes to launch the Prostar (Healthy Living Project for the Young) project in secondary schools soon.
Liow was speaking to reporters after closing the 6th National Skipping and Fitballrobic championship at the Sport Complex here yesterday.
"Although we obtained these statistics from a survey done two years ago, the number of Malaysians suffering such ailments must have increased," said Liow.
He called on Malaysians to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
