MALAYSIANS find healthy eating to be challenging and even expensive.
A recent survey by Sunway Healthcare Group (SHG) and cilisos.my reveals that although 80 per cent of respondents are worried about developing diabetes, they find it hard to consume a healthy diet and practise a proper eating routine due to high cost and long working hours.
A total of 47 per cent of respondents also perceived healthy food as expensive and inaccessible — viewing it as "T20 food" — and 59 per cent said such foods are not served at local restaurants and eateries.
Economic factors and the assumption that healthy food is expensive are cited as biggest hindrances to healthy eating, followed by a lack of time due to individual circumstances and work.
On the upside, peer pressure may be key to making Malaysians more mindful of their health. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents said they will cut their sugar intake with their partner or significant other if he or she decides to take up a no-sugar diet.
More encouragingly, 56 per cent said they will start taking exercise and workouts seriously if their colleagues also visit the gym daily after work.
The nationwide survey was initiated by SHG as part of its KNOW Diabetes campaign and aims to gain insight in preventing the prevalence of this major non-communicable disease.
Launched on the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2024 on Nov 14, the KNOW Diabetes campaign, with its "Prevention is Power" message, is a community outreach programme to raise awareness and educate Malaysians on the impact of the disease.
The campaign is primarily focusing on food education, and how simple dietary adjustments with an emphasis on nutritious food can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes.
SHG president Datuk Lau Beng Long said diabetes and its complications not only affect thousands of Malaysians and severely impact their health, quality of life and relationships, but it also poses a significant burden on public health and socioeconomic development.
"We believe that information and knowledge are key to preventing more individuals falling victim to this disease, which is why KNOW Diabetes and our"Prevention is Power " message sets out to educate the public on one of its primary factors — the food we eat and how it can greatly increase or reduce the risk of developing diabetes."
The month-long campaign, until Nov 30, is in line with the World Health Organisation's overarching theme, which not only centres on individual health, but also the importance of communities working together to combat diabetes.
KNOW Diabetes comes at a time when statistics show an alarming rise in the disease.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 by the Health Ministry states that one in six adults in the country has diabetes, while two in five are unaware that they even have the condition.
In addition to our already high diabetes rates, it's estimated that seven million adults aged 18 and older will become either pre-diabetic or diabetic by next year.