Page 6 - NIH Bulletin Vol. 24: July-Dec 2024

Nourishing Insight:

Exploring Malaysian Nutrition

Through the National Health &

Morbility Survey 2024

Dr. Ahmad Ali Zainuddin, Murnizar Mokhtar, Tuan Nurul Hanan Tuan Rashid
Institute for Public Health (IKU)

The National Health & Morbidity Survey (NHMS) is an essential annual health census conducted in Malaysia
by the Institute for Public Health (IKU). Its primary goal is to gather comprehensive health information and
assess the prevalence of diseases and related risk factors among the Malaysian population. Each year, the
NHMS focuses on specific health topics that align with the Ministry of Health’s needs, determined through
collaborative discussions with various stakeholders and health experts. These research priorities are approved
by the NHMS Steering Committee, chaired by the Director General of Health Malaysia.

NHMS 2024: A Deep Dive into Nutritional Status

In 2024, the NHMS is concentrating on a critical aspect of public health: nutrition. The survey aims to gather
population-based data on the nutritional status of Malaysians, with primary objectives including assessments
of food insecurity, meal patterns, habitual food intake, nutrient intake, food labelling, and physical activity
patterns. Additionally, it will evaluate key health markers such as anaemia, folate, vitamin D and iodine status
within the population. The findings from this survey will provide valuable insights for the Ministry of Health
and other relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of
Living, Ministry of Communication, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This data will be crucial
in reviewing national nutrition priorities and tracking Malaysia’s progress towards global commitments and
national health goals.

Launching of NHMS 2024

The data collection activities for NHMS 2024 were officially commenced on July 22, 2024, launched by Datuk
Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director General of Health (Research and Technical Support) at the Tasik Villa
International Resort in Port Dickson. In her launching speech, Datuk Dr Nor Fariza highlighted concerning
trends from NHMS 2023, which revealed a rising prevalence of overweight, obesity and other nutrition-related
diseases among adults. She attributed much of this to the increased consumption of unhealthy, unbalanced
foods high in sugar, fat and salt. To combat these nutritional issues, Datuk Dr Nor Fariza called for integrated,
aggressive actions, emphasising the need for political commitment and collaboration across all ministries,
related agencies, and society through a whole of government and whole of society approach. The findings
from the NHMS 2024 survey are deemed vital in helping the Ministry of Health shape a healthier future for
all Malaysians. Datuk Dr Nor Fariza expressed hope that the results of this survey would aid in addressing
the double burden of malnutrition and shed light on the eating habits of Malaysians that contribute to non-
communicable disease (NCD) risk factors and diseases.

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