Malaysians getting obese - by eating too heavily at night

BY FLORENCE A. SAMY
NEWSDESK@THESTAR.COM.MY

PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians are keeping awake till late to indulge in what is
becoming a top national pastime tucking it in at 24-hour eating joints. Yes, we are
practically eating round-the-clock. If you are still not convinced, take a look at the
goings-on at mamak shops close to and way past midnight.
These shops have sprouted up all over the country to satisfy the cravings of Malaysians
who are gorging on calorie-packed late night meals with hardly a care and getting
obese in the process. Statistics show that the prevalence of obesity among Malaysian
adults increased by a staggering 250% over a 10-year period from 2005 while the
number of overweight has increased by 70%. The National Health and Morbidity Survey
in 2013 showed that two out of every five adults or 43%, were either overweight or
obese and an alarming situation where the number of obese adults had more than
tripled over a decade, from 4% in 2005 to 14% in 2013.
Health Minister Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam is obviously a very worried man, with more
Malaysians at risk of being seriously ill due to uncontrollable eating. It has to change ...
an unbalanced diet and eating late at night, he cautioned. In the past, we used to have
two meals. These days, we are eating five to six times daily with late-night suppers at
mamak stalls, he said after launching the Malaysian Council for Obesity Prevention
(MCOM) here yesterday. MCOM, which comprises 13 professional bodies and NGOs,
was set up to help the government counter the problem of obesity in the country. The
minister, spoke of another worrying trend meat is fast becoming a staple-diet here. A
diet rich in red meat causes high cholesterol which leads to cardio-vascular disease.
Available data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity indicates that the problem
we face may be more serious than those in other countries of the region, he added.
Being overweight and obese, he said, would lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes,
high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer.
Subra said 300 nutritionists would be employed to serve at government clinics
nationwide to help tackle obesity problems by creating awareness on the dangers of
unhealthy eating.
Our metabolic rate is very low at night making it easy for fat to accumulate in the body.
"Most 24-hour restaurants serve food that is high in fat, calories and cholesterol. Sadly,
more of our young are picking up bad eating habits from adults, he added.

Phrasal Verbs List

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb +
adverb or verb + preposition. Think of them as you would any other English
vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to
memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find
an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand
the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a
specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other
verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning.
This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with meanings and examples.
Only the most usual meanings are given. Some phrasal verbs may have
additional meanings.
As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs
properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct object (someone/something),
while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while
others cannot. Review this phrasal verbs grammar from time to time so that you
don't forget the rules!
Verb

Meaning

Example

ask someone out

invite on a date

Brian asked Judy out to dinner

and a movie.

ask around

ask many people

the same question

I asked around but nobody has

seen my wallet.

add up
to something

equal

Your purchases add up

to $205.32.

back something up

reverse

You'll have to back up your car so

that I can get out.

back someone up

support

My wife backed me up over my

decision to quit my job.

blow up

explode

The racing car blew up after it

crashed into the fence.

blow something up

add air

We have to blow 50
balloons up for the party.