Teen obesity on the rise: 'It's no longer cute, it's a health crisis,' warns expert

SHAH ALAM – Malaysian teenagers are becoming increasingly obese and experts warn that what once seemed like harmless 'baby fat' is now turning into a national health concern.

Consultant Endocrinologist and Physician at Thompson Hospital, Dr Swarupini Ponnampalam said the surge in adolescent obesity cases over the past two years is alarming, driven largely by lifestyle, diet and excessive screen time.

"It’s a combination of everything, but lifestyle definitely plays the biggest role.

“There’s longer screen time now. Most teenagers spend hours on their iPads or phones and that promotes a sedentary lifestyle.

“When you sit for long periods, you also tend to snack more; it’s easy to eat without realising how much you’re consuming," she told Sinar Daily.

She said that the problem is compounded by a lack of physical activity, as children and teenagers rarely play outdoors anymore.

Hormonal changes during adolescence further complicate the issue.

Dr Swarupini also pointed to the powerful influence of fast food marketing and social media.

“Today, kids are constantly exposed to food advertisements online, especially on cheese-covered or processed foods. They see these trends on social media and want to try them. It’s a constant cycle of temptation and consumption," she added.

Chubby Isn’t Always Cute

Many Malaysian parents, she said, often dismiss early signs of unhealthy weight gain, assuming that their child will grow out of it. But this mindset can be dangerous.

“Yes, baby fat can be cute but only up to a point. When you notice your child becoming less active, always feeling tired, or developing dark patches around the neck, known as acanthosis nigricans, those are telltale signs of insulin resistance. That’s no longer cute; that’s the beginning of obesity and potentially diabetes," she said.

According to Dr Swarupini, adolescent obesity is no longer rare in Malaysia and the patients she now treats are increasingly younger.

“I’ll be honest, I never used to see adolescent obesity before. But in the last one or two years, I’ve started seeing teenagers who are morbidly obese, some already in category three obesity, with BMIs above 40,” she said.

She added that the consequences of obesity at a young age are severe and long-lasting.

“We’re now seeing diseases that used to appear only in people over 40 or 50, like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol showing up in teenagers and young adults. Some of my patients are in their late teens and early 20s,” she added.

This early onset of chronic illnesses, she explained, doesn’t just affect the individual; it also poses a significant financial burden on the healthcare system.

“The earlier these non-communicable diseases (NCDs) develop, the longer the body is exposed to complications such as eye problems, kidney issues and nerve damage. It’s not just a health concern, it’s a societal and economic one too," she said.

Dr Swarupini said parents need to look beyond appearance and pay attention to behavioural and physical changes.

“If your child is constantly thirsty, urinating frequently, or feeling sleepy during the day, especially in the mornings, those are red flags.

“Reduced attention span, bloating, or frequent digestive complaints are also signs that something is wrong," she added.