Socso: Over Half of Malaysian Workers Overweight/Obese
KUALA LUMPUR – More than half (59.2%) of Malaysian workers screened under the Social Security Organisation's (Socso) Health Screening Programme are overweight or obese, according to Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Kasim Shaik Ahmad. The findings, revealed earlier today, highlight a concerning trend in the health of the nation's workforce.
The Health Screening Programme, conducted between 2023 and the present, also indicated that 19% of workers screened have diabetes. These figures were presented by Deputy Minister Ahmad during a recent parliamentary session. No specific timeframe beyond '2023 and ongoing' was provided for the data collection period.
Socso, also known as Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial, provides social security protection and occupational risk management for Malaysian workers. The Health Screening Programme is part of Socso's efforts to promote the well-being of workers and prevent work-related illnesses and injuries. Details of the programme, including the specific screening procedures and target demographics, were not elaborated in the initial announcement.
The Deputy Minister's statement underscores the need for greater awareness and proactive measures to address the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Malaysian workers. Further information regarding the programme's scope, sample size, and detailed demographic breakdown is expected to be released by Socso in due course. The findings are expected to inform future health and wellness initiatives aimed at improving the health outcomes of the Malaysian workforce and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.
