Brunei has the highest rate of obesity among Southeast Asian nations. According to STEPS Survey (2016), 62.8 per cent of adults aged 18 and above are overweight (BMI ≥25kg/m²), whereby 28.2 per cent of adults are obese (BMI ≥30kg/m²). Meanwhile, the Global School-Based Health Survey (2019) reported that the obesity rate among adolescents aged 13 to 17 was 18.1 per cent, an increase from 17.4 per cent in 2014.
The picture of drastic increase in the rate of obesity rates, including in the Sultanate, is very worrying because obesity is one of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and so on.
The alarming high obesity rates among the population was highlighted by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar in a message in conjunction with World Obesity Day 2025 celebration yesterday.
Obesity, he said, “is a chronic disease that is currently causing a global crisis, and Brunei is no exception to its impact. The World Obesity Federation 2024 report shows that approximately three billion people worldwide are overweight or obese (BMI ≥25kg/m²).
“From that total, one billion individuals currently facing problem of obesity including 880 million adults and 159 million children and adolescents aged five to 19. More concerning is that this number is estimated to increase by 100 per cent between 2020 and 2035.”
Obesity has also contributed to 12 per cent of deaths from non-communicable diseases globally. Therefore, obesity is now recognised as one of the major public health issues, with negative implications for the health, productivity and stability of the country’s economy.
World Obesity Day, he said, “is celebrated annually on March 4 to raise awareness and understanding on the important efforts in addressing the problem of obesity. The theme of this year’s celebration in Brunei Darussalam is ‘Changing Systems, Healthier Lives’. The theme emphasised the important role of various national systems in strengthening prevention and control efforts of obesity for the well-being of society.”
The causes of obesity, he said, “can derive from several factors including unhealthy eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, emotional or financial stress and sleep disturbances.
“However, it is important to understand that obesity is not solely caused by the actions of individual, but also by influences from family members and the social environment as well as the systems that shape daily life. This includes the health system, the nutritional system and the physical environment, which also play a role in determining a person’s lifestyle and health status.”
He also said the Ministry of Health (MoH) emphasised that the responsibility for preventing and addressing the problem of obesity does not lie solely on individuals.
The whole community needs to work together and increase efforts as well as commitment in the prevention and control of obesity in the country.
He also shared that among the initiatives that have been taken by the MoH to increase and accelerate efforts in addressing the problem of obesity are establishing obesity taskforce under the ministry in 2024 whom are responsible to implement key actions to strengthen health services in preventing and controlling of obesity to be more effective, provide advisory services on obesity and nutritional counselling at health centres and government hospitals.
The MoH also offers obesity clinic services (for adults) at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital through referrals from nearby health centres.
The MoH also strengthen cooperation between various sectors through actions outlined in the Brunei Darussalam National Multi-sectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (BruMAP-NCD) 2021-2025, including measures to create a healthier and more conducive eating environment and support the practice of physical activity among the community, Implementing action to support , promote and protect breastfeeding practices and healthy eating among children, strengthening policies and guidelines related to food environment including code on responsible marketing of food and beverages to children and sugar-sweetened beverages tax.
Lastly, mass media campaigns and various health activities are also conducted to increase awareness and knowledge about obesity and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in various places such as schools, childcare centres, communities and so on.
In conjunction with World Obesity Day, the minister said, “Let’s together increase efforts to accelerate actions to prevent and control obesity. The MoH, in collaboration with stakeholders will continue to be committed to addressing the problem of obesity by examining and implementing strategic measures to create a healthier environment to ensure a better quality of life for all of us, while contributing to the progress of our country.” – James Kon
