Office of the Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, Malaysia /

Malaysian Industry‑Government Group for High Technology

1 Nov 2012

‘Nutrition transition’ common to Mexico, India, China, other emerging economies

With health problems like obesity and diabetes on the rise due to changing diets in emerging economies, Malaysia is forging new linkages between domestic and international scientists and institutions in hopes of mitigating the problem.

It will also team with world experts to further secure its domestic food supply from anticipated shocks due to climate change and global supply chain disruptions.

Food security and nutrition research are among the main topics under discussion by Malaysia’s Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) — a unique assembly of all-star international and Malaysian experts and leaders created to support sustainable development for Malaysia chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Statistics presented show the percentage of calories Malaysians derive from cereals, starchy roots, fruits and vegetables has dropped from roughly 60% in 1960 to just under 50%, the dietary difference being made up by more meat, fish, eggs, milk, sweeteners, oils and fat. Meanwhile, the availability of sugar and sweeteners in Malaysia was almost 50 kg per capita in 2007, second only to the USA at 67 kg.

And the health impacts are significant. Compared with a population snapshot in 1986, almost twice as many Malaysians are now considered overweight (29.4%) and obesity has almost quadrupled (to 15.1%). The percentage of Malaysians with high blood pressure has more than doubled to roughly one in three while Type 2 diabetes patients have more than tripled to 22%.

News release in full: click here

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Asia’s newest megacity offers model for urban growth as populations swell worldwide

Malaysia’s low carbon Iskandar offers planning template for a planet with an urban population expected to double by 2050

Iskandar Malaysia, the first “smart metropolis” of Southeast Asia founded on principles of social integration as well as low carbon emissions thanks to a green economy and green technologies, is a potential template for urban development in emerging countries with burgeoning populations, international experts say.

Malaysia’s ambition for the massive new Iskandar development: a model of sustainable development and an economic hub in league with Hong Kong and neighboring Singapore.

News releases in full: click here

Example coverage: The Guardian (UK), click here, the Malay Mail, click here

Coverage summary: click here