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%) admitted that they had tried to lose weight before. Of these respondents, 50.4% had the wrong perceptions about their weight with 39.1% of the respondents having BMI lower than what they had perceived. The most common weight-loss method used was dieting (89.5%), followed by exercise (81%) and the use of slimming teas (24.9%). Exercise (79.0%) was perceived as the most effective method for losing weight, followed by dieting (71.6%). Most respondents (60.6%) obtained their weight-loss products from the pharmacies but only 34.9% 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.
Wai-Theng Kong
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Siew-Siang Chua
Syireen Alwi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003376:Counseling; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D015431:Weight Loss
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents