Diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver increasingly affecting children, adolescents: Expert

PETALING JAYA: Statistically, one in five Malaysian children is now obese, and doctors say the consequences are appearing in clinics, with young patients developing illnesses once associated with adulthood.

Medical specialists say overweight and obese children are developing serious conditions at increasingly younger ages, raising long-term health risks and putting growing pressure on the healthcare system.

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) senior consultant paediatric endocrinologist Prof Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin said doctors are seeing a wide range of complications among young patients.

“Beyond insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, we are seeing fatty liver, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, early puberty and sleep-disordered breathing.”

He said once considered adult-onset, the illnesses are now appearing in primary school-aged children, significantly increasing their lifetime risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems.

The trend mirrors national statistics. The latest National Health and Morbidity Survey shows childhood obesity in Malaysia has risen steadily, affecting 23.1% of children in 2024.

“We are seeing real clinical consequences in outpatient care.”

He added that another alarming development is the earlier onset of metabolic diseases.

“We are now diagnosing type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure in adolescents and even pre-teens, about a decade earlier than before,” he said, adding that his youngest patient is just eight years old.

He also said early onset increases lifetime risk of vision loss, kidney failure and heart disease, while placing additional strain on healthcare services, particularly in areas with limited access to specialised care.

Muhammad Yazid said effects extend beyond physical health.

“Many children also face poor body image, low self-esteem, anxiety and social isolation. The psychosocial burden is a major concern in Malaysia, where academic and social pressures are high.”

He added that weight-related bullying, common in schools, could worsen unhealthy habits and reduce physical activity, adding that doctors increasingly include psychological support in obesity treatment plans.

“Interventions must address both physical and psychological health in children.”

He also said obesity patterns reflect lifestyle changes at home, including high consumption of sugary drinks and fast food, frequent snacking, large portions, sedentary habits, excessive screen time, low physical activity and poor sleep.

“In many cases, family environment contributes to these behaviours.”

He said urbanisation, easy access to calorie-dense foods, academic pressures and fewer opportunities for outdoor play have also contributed.

“The trends are not isolated to any single state. Similar patterns are seen across Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.”

He added that parents are advised to monitor their children’s growth and seek medical advice if warning signs of unhealthy weight gain appear.

A child is considered overweight if their body mass index is above the 85th percentile, and obese if it exceeds the 95th percentile, based on World Health Organisation growth charts.

Signs to watch for include rapid weight gain, increasing waist size, breathlessness during light activity, reduced physical activity or darkened skin folds (acanthosis nigricans), which may indicate insulin resistance.

Muhammad Yazid said children with additional risk factors – being born small or large for gestational age, maternal gestational diabetes, a family history of type 2 diabetes or visible signs of insulin resistance – should be screened for metabolic conditions.

He emphasised that prevention and early intervention are key, adding that families could start with simple, consistent lifestyle changes: reduce sugary drinks and processed snacks; increase fruits, vegetables and whole grains; and practise portion control.

He also said children should get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity and limit recreational screen time. Healthy routines, including regular meal times and nine to 11 hours of sleep, are also vital.

“Parents should focus on health, strength and energy, not weight alone. Role-modelling healthy habits is a powerful influence on children.”

Malaysia’s National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases and school health programmes also promote these measures.

However, he said reversing childhood obesity requires coordinated action across education, urban planning, food policy and healthcare.

 The Sun Malaysia