Weight Loss Practices Among Malaysian
Adults
The practice of losing weight is gaining
popularity globally with an increase in health consciousness among the
general public. A survey was conducted in seven shopping centres in Kuala
Lumpur and its neighbouring towns to assess the weight-loss practices
of the general public. Out of the 1032 people approached by the researcher,
389 (37.7 percent) admitted that they had tried to lose weight before.
Of these respondents, 50.4 percent had the wrong perceptions about their
weight with 39.1 percent of the respondents having BMI lower than what
they had perceived. The most common weight-loss method used was dieting
(89.5 percent), followed by exercise (81 percent) and the use of slimming
teas (24.9 percent). Exercise (79.0 percent) was perceived as the most
effective method for losing weight, followed by dieting (71.6 percent).
Most respondents (60.6 percent) obtained their weight-loss products from
the pharmacies but only 34.9 percent of these respondents had consulted
the pharmacists on these products. Therefore, pharmacists should play
a more active role in assisting the general public to lose weight successfully
and safely.
Source: Wai-Theng Kong, Siew-Siang Chua,
Syireen Alwi. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2003
Weight Loss Methods
The science of weight loss and obesity management is constantly evolving,
along with research into weight loss drugs, supplements and gastric bypass
surgery. At present, however, a balanced diet combined with regular exercise
remains the favored weight management strategy of most weight loss experts. Return to Weight Loss Data
|
|
|
com