Hunger is killing Gaza's children, and it's man-made, says WHO
'Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July,' the WHO said in a statement.
Of the 74 recorded malnutrition-related deaths in 2025, 63 had occurred in July — including 24 children under five, one child aged over five, and 38 adults, it added.
'Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting,' the UN health agency said.
'The crisis remains entirely preventable. Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has cost many lives.'
Israel on Sunday began a limited 'tactical pause' in military operations to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.
But the WHO called for sustained efforts to 'flood' the Gaza Strip with diverse, nutritious food, and for the expedited delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, plus essential medicines and supplies.
'This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration', the Geneva-based agency said.
On Wednesday, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the situation 'mass starvation — and it's man-made'.
'Dangerous cycle' of death
Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is now acutely malnourished, the WHO said Sunday, citing its Nutrition Cluster partners.
It said the per centage of children aged six to 59 months suffering from acute malnutrition had tripled in the city since June, making it the worst-hit area in the Palestinian territory.
'These figures are likely an underestimation due to the severe access and security constraints preventing many families from reaching health facilities,' the WHO said.
The WHO said that in the first two weeks of July, more than 5,000 children under five had been admitted for outpatient treatment of malnutrition — 18 per cent of them with the most life-threatening form, severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
The 6,500 children admitted for malnutrition treatment in June was the highest number since the war began in October 2023.
A further 73 children with SAM and medical complications have been hospitalised in July, up from 39 in June.
'This surge in cases is overwhelming the only four specialised malnutrition treatment centres,' the WHO said.
Furthermore, the organisation said the breakdown of water and sanitation services was 'driving a dangerous cycle of illness and death'.
As for pregnant and breastfeeding women, Nutrition Cluster screening data showed that more than 40 per cent were severely malnourished, the WHO said.
'It is not only hunger that is killing people, but also the desperate search for food,' the UN health agency said.
'Families are being forced to risk their lives for a handful of food, often under dangerous and chaotic conditions,' it added.
The UN rights office says Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food aid in Gaza since the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started operations in late May. Nearly three-quarters of them died near GHF sites. — AFP
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Sinar Daily
3 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Too young, too heavy: Malaysia's rising childhood obesity crisis
KUALA LUMPUR - Like any other teenager, Muhammad Mikhael Qaiser Mohd Yuzaini longs to participate in sports and physical activities. But the 14-year-old tires easily, neither can he stand for extended periods or handle physically demanding tasks. The main reason: his weight. As of early March this year, he weighed in at 103 kilogrammes (kg), a figure considered obese for his height of 168 centimetres (cm). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Malaysia has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Southeast Asia. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily "I'm truly determined to lose weight this year because I want to live a healthier and more active life,' declared Muhammad Mikhael Qaiser, who is fondly known as Mikhael and is currently undergoing treatment to reduce his weight. Childhood obesity has become a global health crisis, with poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, fuelled by screen time and lack of physical activity, contributing to this "epidemic'. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Malaysia has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Southeast Asia. Childhood obesity in Malaysia has been on a steady rise over the past 15 years, with over 30 percent of children aged five to 17 classified as overweight or obese in 2022. (Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Malaysia's Child Act 2001, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18.) Meanwhile, a study titled 'Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis' published in November 2024, found that the prevalence of childhood overweight, obesity and excess weight in Malaysia almost doubled over a 26-year period from 1996 to 2022. According to WHO, in 2022, 37 million children under the age of five were overweight; and over 390 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 years were overweight, including 160 million who were living with obesity. Overweight is a condition of excessive fat deposits in the body, while obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity can lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also affect bone health and reproduction, and increase the risk of certain cancers. Obesity influences the quality of living, such as sleeping or moving. The diagnosis of overweight and obesity is made by measuring people's weight and height and by calculating the body mass index (BMI): weight (kg)/height² (m²). The body mass index is a surrogate marker of fatness and additional measurements, such as waist circumference, can help the diagnosis of obesity. The BMI categories for defining obesity vary by age and gender in infants, children and adolescents. STRUGGLES OF A TEENAGER In 2021, when Mikhael was 11 years old and weighed 70 kg, he was offered the opportunity to participate in a study conducted by paediatric specialists at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) to address his obesity issue. His parents were informed that as part of the study, Mikhael had a 50 percent chance of receiving either an actual weight loss medication or a placebo. Wanting to help their only child shed his excess weight, Mikhael's parents agreed to let him join the study. Over the course of the four-year programme, Mikhael received injection-based treatment. But by the time the programme ended, his weight did not decrease. Instead, it continued to rise, reaching 103 kg by early Ramadan (March) this year. (It was later confirmed that Mikhael had been placed in the placebo group, meaning he did not receive the actual medication throughout the study period. This explained why there was no significant change in his weight despite the structured programme). This concerned his parents, prompting them to refer Mikhael back to the Paediatric Obesity Clinic at UMMC, which has been operating since 2006, for further treatment in hopes that he could eventually reach a healthy weight of around 65 to 70 kg. Starting in April, Mikhael has been advised to take an oral medication, Metformin 500 mg, once daily, and after two weeks, two pills per day to help improve insulin efficiency. He is also required to meet with a doctor every three months for follow-up treatments. Meanwhile, his father Mohd Yuzaini Abu Bakar, 48, who resides with his family in Taman Medan in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, said Mikhael had been cute and chubby since infancy. He said Mikhael loved milk and could finish eight big bottles of formula milk per day until the age of three. Mohd Yuzaini, a medical laboratory technologist at UMMC, said he and his wife began consulting a paediatrician when their son was four years old due to concerns about his rapid weight gain. Since both parents work at UMMC, they were more exposed to health issues and found it easier to access medical support. On Mikhael's eating habits, Mohd Yuzaini said he loves to eat and is not picky about food. "Whether it's home-cooked or food bought outside, he's fine with it, even trendy or viral food and drinks. There was a time when, every time we went out, he insisted on getting a drink from a popular coffee chain, even though we knew it was high in sugar. As parents, sometimes we just couldn't say no to him,' he said. Mohd Yuzaini said on their way to work every morning, they would drop Mikhael off at the babysitter's house before he went to school. "At the babysitter's, he would usually buy nasi lemak or fried noodles from a nearby shop for breakfast… his favourite. "At school, during recess, he would eat nasi lemak or fried noodles again. After school, he would return to the babysitter's house and get ready to go to the religious school (tahfiz school) in the afternoon. His mother would usually pack lunch for him with extra portions, just in case he got hungry later. "At the tahfiz school, food is also provided, and it's common for people to donate meals there. After school ends at around 7 pm, we would all have dinner together,' he said, adding snacks like biscuits and chocolates as well as bread, fruits and instant noodles were readily available at home in case Mikhael got hungry at night. HIDDEN GENETIC RISKS Sharing that Mikhael's obesity is likely not solely due to his diet, Mohd Yuzaini said it may be influenced by genetic factors although no medical tests have been carried out to confirm this. "Many members of my family, including me, have obesity issues,' he said, adding his weight once peaked at 165 kg (his height is 176 cm). "In the past, I used to be active in rugby. When we're involved in sports, we eat and stay active, so we are able to keep our weight under control. But later on, I stopped playing rugby and focused on my job… I became physically less active and started to gain weight.' Mohd Yuzaini, who has six siblings and is the eldest, said his immediate younger sibling passed away due to heart disease caused by obesity. "Another two siblings are also obese, with one of them having had a leg amputated due to diabetes,' he said, adding that in 2007, he decided to undergo bariatric surgery after his doctor warned he would eventually develop diabetes, hypertension and heart disease if he did not undergo the procedure. Mohd Yuzaini experienced weight loss after the surgery and two years later, his weight dropped to 107 kg from 165 kg. "Since then, I've been maintaining my weight and if it increases, it's only slightly. Thankfully, my previous borderline blood pressure (readings) and sugar levels have stabilised,' he said. Commenting on the treatment Mikhael is currently receiving, Mohd Yuzaini said it combines the expertise of three clinics - paediatrics, sports medicine and dietetics - and is administered by the Paediatric Obesity Clinic at UMMC. Doctors at the sports medicine clinic gave several exercise recommendations for Mikhael, such as walking up and down the stairs for 30 minutes daily and using a portable pedal exerciser that can be used anytime and anywhere. Said his father: "We tried it (exercises) during the fasting month (this year) and, thankfully, after the festive season, we saw his weight drop by three kg. "We'll continue with the suggested approach, combining (intermittent) fasting with exercise… we're aiming for Mikhael's weight to drop to 90 kg by the end of this year.' FAMILY DIET CHANGES Mohd Yuzaini said he and his wife Zaliza Mat Som, 58, have also started controlling their son's diet. "We've implemented a kind of intermittent fasting for him… he skips breakfast as advised by the doctor and he is allowed to eat during break time at school. "For his lunch and dinner, we've reduced his portions - he is allowed just a fistful of rice (low glycemic index). We've also cut down on oily and fatty foods, while adding more vegetables and fruits (to his diet),' he added, stressing that dieting is important because Mikhael's current weight puts him at risk for prediabetes. Mohd Yuzaini also said that through changes in his family's eating patterns and by exercising regularly, even his wife has experienced weight loss. "We want to support Mikhael in achieving his ideal weight, so we too have to make changes towards a healthier lifestyle,' he said. Mohd Yuzaini, meanwhile, suggested that health programmes involving nutritionists, fitness trainers and counsellors be conducted more frequently in schools for students as well as their parents, so they are better informed on how to tackle obesity while also raising awareness about obesity-related diseases. "Parents should also be informed of their children's (physical) condition, especially when their schools conduct certain tests like the 'Ujian Standard Kecergasan Fizikal Kebangsaan Untuk Murid Sekolah Malaysia' (SEGAK), which can indirectly help prevent obesity among students,' he added. SEGAK is a mandatory physical fitness test conducted twice a year in all government schools in Malaysia, designed to measure students' physical fitness levels based on health indicators. PARENTS MUST LEAD While Mikhael's family is doing their part, experts say the real change must start at home - and with consistent parental support. Sharing his views, fitness coach Kevin Zahri, popularly known as 'Cikgu Fitness Malaysia', said parents must become role models for their children, not just in terms of behaviour but also lifestyle, personal health and nutrition, and should always practice the principles of 'lead by example' and 'walk the talk'. According to him, being overweight or obese at a young age not only affects physical health but can also impact a child's emotions, self-confidence and mental well-being. "A sedentary and inactive lifestyle is easily carried over into adulthood and difficult to change. Therefore, parents need to help children set boundaries for screen time and video games, and ensure that they are consistently involved in physical activities. "Physical activity or recreational time should not be treated as a 'special occasion' but rather made part of a child's daily routine to nurture their mental, emotional and physical development from an early age,' he said. Touching on his '30-Day Health Challenge' online programme, held monthly throughout the year, Kevin said the response has been very encouraging, with many families participating to support children who struggle with excess weight and obesity. "Many parents initially wanted to enrol only their overweight children in the programme, but I encouraged them to join as a family. This is to prevent the child from feeling ashamed, stressed or having low self-esteem. "It turned out that my approach not only makes the programme more enjoyable for the whole family but they also get to lead a healthier lifestyle. With the 'fit family' concept, it becomes more meaningful as they spend quality time together and support each other,' he said, adding parents should not rely solely on doctors or schools to look into their children's health. Kevin added that while supplements can be used, for example by athletes or to make up for certain nutrient deficiencies, they are not a substitute for real food because what is more important is making healthy food choices to maintain good health. "My daughter is a national tennis player, while my son goes for football training four times a week. They both take supplements, including multivitamins, to support their growth and cover any nutritional gap. "As parents, we must take responsibility in leading our own 'circle of influence', which is our family. Start small, like doing physical activities together every Saturday, such as walking, playing badminton or pickleball,' he said, adding that more information about his programme is available at In conclusion, Mikhael's experience underscores the complex web of factors that contribute to childhood obesity - from possible genetic predisposition and family lifestyle to eating habits and emotional influences. His journey also reflects the harsh reality faced by many Malaysian children whose health is silently shaped by daily routines, social norms and limited physical activity. His story is not unique but rather a wake-up call. If childhood obesity continues to be overlooked or normalised, the long-term consequences on health, well-being and national productivity could be severe. Early intervention, family support and stronger public awareness are crucial to change the narrative - one child, one household at a time. Tomorrow: From type 2 diabetes to fatty liver and sleep apnoea, part two explores the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children due to obesity, and highlights the importance of early treatment and public awareness. (This story was produced under the "Communicating Noncommunicable Diseases' Media Fellowship by Probe Media Foundation Inc [PMFI], Reporting ASEAN [RA] and World Health Organization [WHO]. The views and opinions expressed in this piece are not necessarily those of PMFI, RA and WHO.) - BERNAMA
Malaysiakini
9 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Mental strain behind breastfeeding
COMMENT | World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from Aug 1 to 7, is a global initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and various ministries of health and civil society partners. It serves as a platform to highlight breastfeeding as a foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity. Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective ways to ensure a child's health and survival. It provides safe, nutrient-rich nourishment packed with antibodies that protect against illness, while also strengthening the emotional bond between mother and infant. While physical breastfeeding challenges are often acknowledged, the emotional and psychological toll remains underdiscussed. For many Malaysian mothers, the experience is deeply emotional, entangled with guilt, stress, and isolation. Breastfeeding in Malaysia is often a mother's determination, supported by encouragement from her partner.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Not just forgetfulness: dementia, a silent epidemic
Globally, dementia affects more than 55 million people, with the WHO predicting this number will reach 78 million by 2030. (Freepik pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Dementia often begins subtly – a forgotten name, a repeated story, a misplaced item. But contrary to widespread belief, this condition is not just about old-age forgetfulness – in Malaysia, it is a silent epidemic, driven by an ageing population and widespread chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. With nearly 16% of the population being age 60 and above, studies suggest that over 200,000 Malaysians are living with dementia. Soberingly, this figure is likely underestimated because of low awareness and limited screening. Globally, dementia affects more than 55 million people, and the World Health Organization predicts this number will reach 78 million by 2030. 'When someone can no longer perform the tasks they once managed easily, such as cooking or holding a conversation, that's when we begin to suspect it could be dementia,' said consultant neurologist Dr Mohamad Imran Idris. 'The hallmark of dementia isn't just forgetfulness; it is when thinking skills interfere with daily life – language, judgement, even recognising familiar faces. That is when it is time to get help.' Dr Mohamad Imran Idris. Imran also clarified the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease, explaining that the latter is just one type of dementia. 'Dementia is an umbrella term. Alzheimer's is the most well-known, but in Malaysia, vascular dementia – caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, often after a stroke or due to chronic illnesses – is also very common,' he said. According to Imran, conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes are key contributors to vascular dementia. Notably, the doctor stressed that dementia is no longer an old person's disease. 'It's not just grandma or grandpa anymore. We've seen people in their 40s and even 30s developing early signs after strokes or years of unmanaged chronic illness.' While there is no cure for dementia, the good news is, certain medicines can slow its progression. Additionally, screening tools, from digital cognitive assessments to blood tests that detect early brain changes, are becoming more accessible, Imran said. Individuals both young and old should invest early in their future cognitive health. (Envato Elements pic) In the meantime, it's important for everyone to keep their brain healthy and engaged. While diet and exercise are known brain boosters, socialising also plays a powerful role. 'Talking with friends, engaging in conversation – these spontaneous, unpredictable interactions challenge the brain and help preserve cognitive function,' Imran added. Ultimately, those in their 40s and 50s should start thinking seriously about their brain health, on top of controlling their blood pressure, staying socially engaged, sleeping well, and eating a balanced diet. 'These aren't just good habits – they're investments in your future cognitive health. If we care for our hearts to avoid a heart attack, we should do the same for our brains,' he concluded.
