Are we healthy?

Are we healthy? Let us look at the health statistic in Malaysia. The study was made by WHO representative Dr Han Tieru in 2006, published in New Straits Times.

Lifestyle disease in Malaysia:

Summary of the lifestyle disease in the numbers:
- 10, 000 deaths a year due to stroke, heart attack and lifestyle desease etc.
- 6,000 deaths a year due to heart desease
- 3 million high cholestrol
- 40,000 new cancer cases a year
- 25% overweight or obese
- 2.1 million diabetes
- 110 new stroke cases everyday

Stroke cases in Malaysia:
Stroke cases - about 300% increase in Malaysia. The scary fact is many die within a month and only 10% make full recovery!

Obesity in Malaysia:
The recent statement by the health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai that overweight and obesity among Malaysians needs urgent attention again illustrates public ignorance on the problem.

The Minister pointed out that the prevalence of adult obesity in Malaysia from 1996-2006 had more than tripled with four out of every 10 Malaysians above 18 years of age are now being either overweight or obese.

Now, the next question is what are the possible causes of all the above lifestyle diseases?