OBESITY is a problem that has overtaken the western world as increased food intakes, combined with a lack of exercise, have begun changing the shape of populations.

Inside the last 30 years obesity rates – determined by body mass indexes (BMIs) higher than 30 – have more than doubled in the United States, leaving that country with a growing problem. And the problem is not confined to the developed world – waistlines in Myanmar have begun expanding too.

According to the Department of Health, about 9 percent of adult men and more than 18pc of adult women are overweight (BMI 25 to 30) or obese, which compares favourably with figures from the West but is no cause for celebration.
A Department of Health spokesperson says the main problem is that people eat too much food compared to the amount of exercise they do.

BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in pounds by the square of the height in inches, and then multiplying by 703. Or, in metric terms, divide the weight in kilograms by the height in metres squared.

A survey of 5000 people in Yangon Division in 2003 showed that more than 23pc suffered from Grade One obesity (BMI of 30 to 34.9), while about 7pc were Grade Two (BMI of 35 to 39.9).

Moreover, about 98pc of those surveyed said they did not eat enough fruit and vegetables, 23pc smoked, 12pc drank alcohol heavily and 7pc did not do any exercise at all.

Excessive weight is usually a lifestyle problem and can lead to diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, an enlarged liver, hypertension and many others.

Myanmar’s Ministry of Health is taking the problem seriously.
In messages published in state-run daily newspapers over the past year, the Ministry of Health has advised people that one of the best ways to keep weight down is to walk regularly.

Government estimates show that a person walking at a slow pace of about 3 kilometres per hour (just less than 2 miles per hour) can burn about 175 kilocalories each hour. Walking at 5kph can burn 245kcal per hour and at 6.5kph, the rate of calorie consumption has increased to 280kcal per hour.
At the same time, the ministry advised people to simply eat less food, leaving less calories to burn off.

Dr Ye Tint Lwin, deputy director of the Physiology Research Division of the Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar), says combining walking with dietary changes is an excellent way to lose weight.

He says that while people understand that physical activity is good for their health but several society-wide changes now hinder exercise, especially in younger people.

“In past years, children spent their time playing games with each other in parks and on the street but now most children substitute that activity with computer games.”

“If children do physical activities, it will help them to improve their fitness levels, maintain a healthy weight and build strong bones and muscles. In the long run this will help to prevent people from becoming overweight,” he says.

“If we can encourage children to engage in more physical activity, it will help them to estabish good habits for the rest of their lives. Parents, schools and teachers play an important role in achieving this goal,” he says.

Dr Ye Tint Lwin says everyone – not just children – would benefit from better walking paths and cycling trails away from traffic so they can exercise safely.
Dr Phyu Phyu Aung, former deputy director of the Nutrition Research Division of the Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar), says people should consider their diets too.

She says healthy eating centres on the five food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meat. However, within the groups Dr Phyu Phyu Aung says some choices are healthier than others.

“It is better to eat brown rice and oatmeal as they contain more fibre. And fresh fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals,” she says. Foods to avoid are those rich in fat, like poultry skins. “Also, it is important to choose healthier cooking oils and not those high in saturated fats,” she says.

Dr Phyu Phyu Aung says people need to read food labels to know exactly what they are eating to make healthy and nutritious decisions.

And there are signs that people are taking the government’s advice seriously.
Daw Tin Sein, owner of A-May-Sein roadside fruit stall on Inya Road, says people’s fruit consumption has increased in the last few years.

“In the past, foreigners were the main fruits buyers but now Myanmar people are about 70pc of all customers at my fruit stall,” she says.

“In my fruit stall, there are between 30 and 40 different fruits and I always make sure they are clean and fresh,” she says, adding that bananas and papayas are available all year round.