Automation Of Daily Chores Contribute To Obesity Among Women

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The switch from the physical way of doing household chores to automation has been cited as factors that contribute to obesity among women, said Parliamentary Secretary to the Health Ministry Datuk Lee Kah Choon.
"At home, most of the work handled by women like washing is done by machines while at the office men usually take the lift rather than the stairs although it is only for one floor," he said when replying to a question from Senator Datuk Soon Tian Szu in the Dewan Negara here Tuesday.
Soon wanted to know reasons for overweight and obesity among Malaysians where some one milion or 18.8 percent of the 1.85 million saddled with the problem are women.
Lee said the intake of an imbalance diet high in fat and sugar content just add to the problem.
"The intake of food far outweighs the energy needed for daily activities. If left unchecked, this will lead to weight gain," he added.
Statistics showed that women over 40 years-old have weight problems because office work and family commitments left them with little or no time at all for exercises.
Lee said a study on the food intake by adults in 2003 found that overweight Malaysians had increased by 26.71 percent and that the obesity rate had increased by 12.15 percent or by three fold.
The healthy lifestyle campaign by the ministry is among steps taken by the government to overcome overweight and obesity among Malaysians.