With Malaysia’s National Health and Morbidity Survey suggesting that more than 1 in 2 adults currently living with overweight or obesity1, the need for a unified response is more urgent. Malaysia now ranks among Southeast Asia’s highest obesity rates, affecting over half of adults. This is a trend that continues to rise and place pressure on families, healthcare systems and the nation’s long-term productivity. In conjunction with World Obesity Day and International Women’s Day, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Malaysia) brought together the voices of healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, and people living with obesity to reframe how the nation understands and addresses this chronic disease.
Anchored under the theme Women in Leadership and Health, the discussion emphasised the need for driving equity, leadership, and systemic reform for women, especially in improving outcomes for who disproportionately experience the complexities of living with overweight or obesity.
[From left to right]
Dr. Praful Chakkarwar, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn.Bhd.
Ili Sulaiman, Celebrity Chef, TV Personality and Health Advocate
Shireen Kandiah, Director of Branding , Marketing, and Sustainability at the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB)
Prof. Dr. Rohana binti Abdul Ghani, President of the Malaysian Obesity Society (MYOS) and Senior Consultant Endocrinologist
Sharon Foo, Group Chief Human Resource Officer of IHH Healthcare
officiating Novo Nordisk’s Women in Leadership and Health media event in conjunction with International Women’s Day and World Obesity Day.
Obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic, progressive disease shaped by biological, social, and environmental influences. Globally, women generally have a higher percentage of body fat content compared to men, and gender appears to be an important factor in the manifestation of central or peripheral obesity2. When it comes to weight management, studies comparing diet and exercise interventions have shown that men generally lose weight more easily than women due to differences in body composition3, as well as basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure4.
Dr. Praful Chakkarwar, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn.Bhd., delivering his welcome note at Novo Nordisk’s International Women’s Day and World Obesity Day media event.
Dr. Praful Chakkarwar, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Malaysia said, “In Malaysia, women living with overweight or obesity often face a disproportionate burden, not only in terms of health outcomes, but also through persistent societal stereotypes that frame weight as a measure of discipline, appearance, or personal failure. These narratives can delay diagnosis, limit access to appropriate care, and contribute to stigma in healthcare settings, workplaces, and daily life. At Novo Nordisk, it is our commitment to support efforts that improve understanding, reduce stigma, and strengthen responsible, evidence-based obesity care in Malaysia.”
