The government released its “Blueprint for a Healthy Macau” last year, with overweight and obesity prevention and control listed as one of the target indicators for 2030 – and the Health Bureau (SSM) held a press conference yesterday to raise awareness about weight management and promote healthy lifestyle practices among residents, announcing that the “Macau Health Survey” conducted every 10 years, will be held next year to assess residents’ health status, including their weight.
According to yesterday afternoon’s press conference on the SSM premises, in 2016, 21.3 percent of local residents aged 18 or above were classified as overweight and obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 23 and 24.9 for overweight and a BMI of 25 or above for obesity; while the overweight and obesity rate of secondary school students enrolled in the 2022/2023 school year stood at 21.7 percent, indicating that the overweight and obesity situation of local residents is on the rise.
The overweight and obesity rate, also known as prevalence of overweight and obesity, refers to the percentage of the population that falls into either the overweight or obese category based on Body Mass Index (BMI).
At the press conference, Areia Preta Health Centre Chief Chou Mei Fong added that a waist circumference exceeding 90 centimetres for men and 80 centimetres for women is defined as central obesity, with both conditions increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia – significant risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancers.
Hyperglycaemia is a medical condition characterised by abnormally high blood glucose (sugar) levels beyond the normal range. Hyperlipidaemia is a medical condition characterised by abnormally high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood
Wong Weng Man, chief of the SSM Health Promotion Division, attributed the issues of overweight and obesity to urban development and changes in lifestyle, pointing out the increase in sedentary behaviour among residents, decrease in physical activity and the widespread culture of takeaway meals. She emphasised that the bureau has been taking the situation very seriously and has implemented a raft of measures and strategic policies aimed at addressing residents’ obesity issues, promoting a health concept that shifts from “passive treatment” to “active prevention”.
According to the press conference, measures to enhance residents’ awareness and ability to take the initiative in health management include setting up free self-service checkpoints for residents to check their blood pressure and body weight themselves; urging residents to make use of the health management functions of “My Health 2.0” to record and manage their own health data through services such as health profile, health trend charts and weight management; and setting up a database of health science experts to hold regular seminars and workshops on weight management.
Health Bureau officials (SSM), including Areia Preta Health Centre Chief Chou Mei Fong (left) and SSM Health Promotion Division Chief Wong Weng Man (centre), address yesterday’s press conference about weight management and the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices. – Photo: Yuki Lei
