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The Implementation of Childhood Obesity Related Policy Interventions in Malaysia-A Non Communicable Diseases
Wilfred Kok Hoe Mok1,2, Noran Naqiah Hairi3, Caryn Mei Hsien Chan4
1South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia.
Insights
Childhood obesity policy interventions in Malaysia show low progress across all domains. Addressing identified gaps is crucial for a comprehensive approach to combatting this growing public health issue.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Policy
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Background:
- Childhood overweight and obesity prevalence is rising in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia.
- Malaysia's National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) framework emphasizes preventing childhood obesity as an NCD intervention.
- Early intervention for childhood obesity is critical for long-term NCD prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current status of policy interventions addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia.
- To identify policy gaps in childhood obesity prevention and management.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of existing NCD policies in Malaysia.
Main Methods:
- A modified Delphi technique was used to sample 22 Malaysian stakeholders and experts.
- Data collection involved a modified NCD scorecard across four domains: governance, risk factors, surveillance, and health systems response.
- A heat map visualized progress, with scores grouped into quintiles for each domain.
Main Results:
- All measured domains showed low progress in implementing childhood obesity policies.
- Governance indicators reported low progress at 22.5%, with limited progress in risk factors and surveillance domains.
- Effective monitoring, evaluation, and remedies are essential for robust surveillance systems.
Conclusions:
- Despite strategic documents and interventions, significant gaps exist in Malaysia's approach to childhood obesity.
- A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is needed to effectively address childhood obesity.
- Policy implementation requires strengthening across governance, risk factors, and surveillance to combat rising obesity rates.
Abstract:
(1) Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased tremendously in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2015-2025) provides the overall framework for its response to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) epidemic. Preventing childhood obesity is one of the key strategies for early intervention to prevent NCDs. The objective of this research is to examine the current status of policy interventions in addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia. (2) Methods: A panel of 22 stakeholders and experts from Malaysia, representing the government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, were sampled using a modified Delphi technique. Data were collected using a modified NCD scorecard under four domains (governance, risk factors, surveillance and research and health systems response). A heat map was used to measure the success of the four realms of the NCD scorecard. For each domain of the NCD scorecard, the final score was grouped in quintiles. (3) Results: A total of 22 participants responded, comprising of eight (36.4%) males and 14 (63.4%) females. All the domains measured in implementing policies related to childhood obesity were of low progress. Nine governance indicators were reported as 22.5% (low progress), four in the risk factors domain, and two in the surveillance. This shows that timely and accurate monitoring, participatory review and evaluation, and effective remedies are necessary for a country's surveillance system. (4) Conclusion: Although Malaysia has published several key strategic documents relating to childhood obesity and implemented numerous policy interventions, we have identified several gaps that must be addressed to leverage the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing childhood obesity in the country.
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