KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to combat the prevalence of obesity, the sugar tax has been expanded to instant beverages since March 1, says the Health Ministry.

This is in addition to the sugar tax imposed on ready to drink (RTD) drinks which came into effect in July 2019.

The ministry has also staged interventions such as the Trim &Fit weight management programme and the Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara (Kospen) programme.

“Overall, there were 64,846 individuals screened in all localities and from that figure, some 5,436 who were obese under class two or above were referred to the health clinic,” it said in a parliamentary written reply dated July 17.

A total of 9,936 clients had benefited from the ministry’s weight management intervention programme which is conducted at 33 Wellness Hub facilities.

The ministry also launched the War on Sugar initiative, which targets pre-school children, adults and senior citizens.

This initiative is done in collaboration with parliament, state representatives’ offices, NGOs and village heads.

“Cooperation with industry players and restaurant operators are strengthened by providing options of sugar free beverages with the slogan ‘one teaspoon is enough, less is better, none is the best’,” the ministry said.

To ensure early prevention, several initiatives are being taken under the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS).

Committees such as the ANMS taskforce to overcome obesity have been formed to tackle the problem.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 showed a persistent rise in the prevalence of overweight and obese individuals.

“The number has surged by nearly 10% over a decade from 44.5% in 2011 to 54.4% in 2023," the report stated.

Based on the report, the trend of being overweight and obese is measured by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or more.

Also noted in the report was that abdominal obesity among adults Malaysians also saw a surge of nearly 10%, from 45.4% in 2011 to 54.5% in 2023.

He was responding to a question by Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) on the measures taken to combat obesity.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/18/sugar-tax-expanded-to-instant-beverages-since-march-1-says-health-ministry