Cambodia and Vietnam recorded the sharpest increases in adult obesity among ASEAN countries between 2012 and 2022, according to the latest UN report on food security and nutrition.
The two countries may have the lowest rates of adult obesity in the region. But prevalence doubled in Cambodia from 2.2 percent to 4.4 percent over the 10-year period – and grew even faster in Vietnam from 0.8 percent to 2.0 percent.
Among other ASEAN economies designated as least-developed countries (LDCs) by the United Nations, obesity prevalence among adults climbed from 4.7 percent to 8.0 percent in Laos and from 5.7 percent to 8.7 percent in Myanmar.
‘WORRYING RISE’
‘There is a worrying rise in adult obesity in LDCs that mirrors the global trend,’ said the annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, released in Brazil on Wednesday.
‘Their share of the global adult obesity burden is also increasing over time – with all the while undernutrition continuing to weigh heavily on this group.’
‘Supporting LDCs to
overcome structural impediments to sustainable development, improve incomes, and achieve the seven nutrition targets is a global development priority.’
‘DOUBLE BURDEN OF MALNUTRITION’
The report – by five UN agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation – found that adult obesity worldwide grew from 12.1 percent to 15.8 percent over the decade.
This is contributing to a ‘double burden of malnutrition’ – undernutrition accompanied by being overweight or obese – which has been growing worldwide for two decades.
‘Underweight among adults and the elderly has been cut in half while obesity is on the rise in all age groups,’ the report said.
‘The true rate of the double burden is much higher if all forms of malnutrition are considered, including micronutrient deficiencies.’
The report said people’s growing affluence in developing economies is associated with three kinds of transition involving nutrition, disease and demographics
‘NUTRITION TRANSITION’
The ‘nutrit
ion transition’ involves diets shifting from staple foods to increased consumption of dairy, fish, meat, fruits and vegetables – as well as highly processed foods high in fats, sugars and salt.
‘This is often associated with globalisation, rapid urbanisation, and sedentary lifestyles,’ the report said.
‘EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRANSITION’
In the subsequent ‘epidemiological transition’, the disease burden shifts from infectious to non-communicable diseases – like heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.
“Micronutrient deficiencies may continue to prevail across the transition. Furthermore, the population structure is modified largely due to lower birth rates and increased life expectancy,’ the report said.
‘DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION’
This ‘demographic transition’ is marked by a shift in average population age from younger to older, and higher risks of non-communicable diseases.
“While in the past these transitions occurred gradually over centuries, they have accelerated in recent decades, w
ith dietary changes and nutritional heterogeneity as well as disease risk rising significantly in just a single generation.
“Policymakers thus face unprecedented challenges in addressing both overweight and undernutrition and their associated health and economic implications.’
Among non-LDC ASEAN members, the report found that Brunei had the highest rate of adult obesity – 31.7 percent in 2022, up from 23.3 percent a decade earlier.
Malaysia ranked second at 22.1 percent (up from 16.0 percent) followed by Thailand at 15.4 percent (up from 10.0 percent), Singapore at 13.9 percent (up from 8.1 percent), Indonesia at 11.2 percent (up from 5.9 percent), and the Philippines 8.7 percent (up from 5.7 percent).
The report defines malnutrition as an abnormal physiological condition caused by inadequate, unbalanced or excessive intake of macronutrients and/or micronutrients. It includes undernutrition as well as being overweight or obese.
Undernutrition is defined as poor nutritional intake resulting in being unde
rweight or too short for one’s age, dangerously thin for one’s height or deficient in vitamins and minerals.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse
