Price to pay for late-night eating

The Star

25-04-2025

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is renowned for its delectable cuisine, but this culinary abundance is leading many to habitually indulge in heavy late-night meals, a trend that is becoming increasingly concerning.
A significant portion of Malaysians, including 41.8% of adolescents and 33.5% of adults, consume heavy suppers at least once a week, according to findings from a Health Ministry survey.
The latest findings highlighted the growing trend as a significant health concern, with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad calling on Malaysians to rethink their nocturnal noshing habits.
'We don't eat a little at a time, but rather we keep eating little by little (Kita bukan makan sikit-sikit, tapi sikit-sikit makan),' he said when met after launching the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2024 Nutrition report at the ministry here yesterday.
Dzulkefly called on Malaysians to reduce their intake of supper or to eat in moderation, as this activity can have negative effects on health.
'Late-night heavy meals contribute significantly to health problems such as obesity and metabolic disorders.
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'Before bed, avoid heavy meals late at night. It's not that you can't eat, but always in moderation.'
According to NHMS 2024, late-night eating can negatively impact sleep quality, cause digestive issues and increase the risk of heart diseases.
Additionally, Dzulkefly stated that the comprehensive survey also assessed nutritional patterns and situations, revealing that excessive intake of sugar and salt remains a prevalent issue.
He said 63.1% of adolescents and 47% of adults exceed the recommended sugar intake, with nearly half of this consumption coming from sugary beverages.
Furthermore, 75.9% of adults consume more than 2,000mg of salt daily, which is over 1.5 teaspoons and exceeds health guidelines.
'Although there is a slight decrease compared to 78.6% in 2018 and 79.0% in 2012, this trend remains worrying.
'These habits may seem small, but they carry huge consequences.
'They are partly the reasons causing obesity, diabetes and hypertension, all from what we eat.
'They underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to reduce unhealthy eating habits among Malaysians, particularly the youth.'
The NHMS 2024 also highlighted the alarming deficiencies in essential micronutrients.
Dzulkefly said a significant portion of the population lacked sufficient iodine intake, with 45.7% falling below the World Health Organisation's recommended levels.
Additionally, deficiencies in vitamins A and C are known to be widespread, affecting both adolescents and adults, mainly due to inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables.
The survey found that only 12.8% of adolescents and 17.1% of adults meet the WHO's recommended fruit intake, while a mere 5.2% of adolescents and 12.2% of adults consume the suggested amount of vegetables.
In response to these findings, Dzulkefly said the ministry has launched a series of initiatives aimed at improving national dietary habits.
'These include launching the War on Sugar Campaign for all 222 parliament constituencies by 2027, reducing sugar content in sachets from 5g to 3g and implementing a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax.
'The ministry is also intensifying its War on Salt Campaign, focusing on consumer education and clearer nutritional labelling.'
Dzulkefly noted that the government is also collaborating with local food operators and chefs to promote recipes that are low in sugar and salt.
'Symbolic measures, such as stopping the serving of late-night heavy meals at official functions, are also being considered to set an example.'
Stressing that NHMS is not merely a report but a call for urgent action, Dzulkefly called on Malaysians to 'start small' and 'not wait'.
'Let us all take advantage of the free health and nutrition screenings available at public health facilities.
'Early intervention is crucial for preventing serious health complications.
'Let's aim to foster a healthier lifestyle culture across the nation,' he said.