KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — AstraZeneca Malaysia, in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has launched its first primary school-level Young Health Programme (YHP) to combat the rising trend of childhood obesity and promote healthier lifestyles among young Malaysians.
The initiative, themed 'I’m Healthy, I’m Great', was held at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bandar Baru Bangi and SK Pulau Meranti on December 1 and 2, targeting preadolescents aged nine to 12 years.
Launched at a crucial time when national data showed approximately 24 per cent of Malaysian children and adolescents were affected by excess weight primarily due to poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles, with only 21 per cent of school-age adolescents being physically active, the programme addressed these key contributing factors.
In a statement, AstraZeneca said the YHP is aimed to promote health equity and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by cultivating sustainable healthy behaviours through meaningful partnerships with schools and local communities.
“As part of the half-day initiative held at both schools, preadolescents aged nine to 12 participated in interactive activities designed to introduce them to key aspects of wellness.
“They learned how to interpret their body measurements, build a balanced plate, identify sugar and salt content in everyday foods, and adopt simple ways to stay active. Through games, role-play and hands-on learning, the sessions were both engaging and impactful,” it said.
It added that a 2023 study in the Journal of School Health found that children aged nine to 12 in interactive nutrition programmes gained better knowledge of healthy eating and increased their fruit and vegetable intake by approximately one extra serving daily, with these improved habits sustained for up to a year after the programme ended.
Furthermore, a study involving Malaysian primary school children found that learning through games and hands-on activities was 40 per cent more effective than traditional classroom teaching in helping children make healthier food choices.
“This age group is particularly important for building lifelong healthy habits. Research shows that children between nine and 12 years old are at a developmental stage where their brains are especially receptive to forming new habits and learning new behaviours,” AstraZeneca Malaysia said.
It also cited a large review of 47 school health programmes, which found that targeting this specific age group was most successful in helping children maintain healthier body weight and improve eating habits.
Having been introduced locally in 2021, AstraZeneca Malaysia first partnered with Hospital Beyond Boundaries (HBB) on a youth mental health project for the B40 community, before expanding its partnership from 2022 onwards with the National Kidney Foundation and other NGOs to train over 1,000 youths across Klang Valley, Malacca, Sabah, and Penang.
AstraZeneca Malaysia remained committed to fostering long-term behavioural changes and building a more resilient, health-conscious future generation by equipping children with the necessary tools to make informed health choices.
