The World Kidney Day 2017 (WKD17) is an annual event and this year’s focus is on healthy lifestyle to prevent obesity as obesity can lead to chronic kidney disease. Obesity remains the number one preventable risk factor for chronic kidney disease because obesity largely mediates diabetes and hypertension, the 2 most common etiologies for end-stage kidney disease[1].
Overweight and obese people are also more prone to develop albuminuria and, for at least some types of kidney disease, a greater amount of albuminuria and more rapid progression of renal failure. Apart from that, obesity also leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and other serious health problems[2].
According to WKD17 organising chair, Dr Lily Mushahar, senior consultant nephrologist, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, one of the more effective ways of making Malaysians slim down to a healthier weight is through proper education, exposure and awareness.
Dr Lily said that eating has become a part of our local culture. Our local food, especially those with high calorie content is one of the contributing factors to the high prevalence of obesity amongst Malaysians.
“We are a multicultural nation with a wide selection of delicious delicacies. However, most of these foods are usually made up of glutinous rice, coconut milk with a high content of sugar. What we can do is to educate everyone on this epidemic and create awareness for a better, healthier lifestyle through this national level World Kidney Day 2017 on the 18th of March, with the Cycling Convoy flagging off from Hospital Serdang to Taman Botani, Fun Run, Zumba and a lot more activities that promote and encourage healthy lifestyle.
“This year’s WKD17 celebration is special as it started off with a group of 30 cyclists pedalled 633KM from Kangar to Putrajaya over 6 days – all in a bid to raise awareness regarding the importance of healthy lifestyle, exercise to combat obesity and kidney diseases! The journey involves 16 pit stops where the 30 cyclists will spread health messages and collect signatures on a banner, which will be officially given to the Deputy Health Minister on the 18th of March at Putrajaya during the official launce of WKD17 celebration. ” said Dr Lily.
Major private companies such as Lucenxia, Baxter, Fresenius, Sanofi, Kyowa Kirin, Roche and AJ Pharma are also helping to promote and sponsor the event.
“This program is very interesting because not only will there be fun and healthy activities that everyone can participate, but there will also be a talk on kidney health awareness and how to take care of them. Being obese is very closely linked to chronic kidney diseases which can be prevented if more people are aware of their unhealthy eating habits and their sedentary urban lifestyle that lacks exercise,” added Dr Lily.
There will be free health screening including measurement of body mass index, blood glucose level and blood pressure measurement. There will also be various booths promoting health, outdoor activity equipment and a blood donation campaign at Taman Botani Putrajaya this March 18, 2017.
According to the findings by World Health Organization, about 600 million of the world population were overweight and about 41 million of children under the age of 5 years are either overweight or obese[3].
Revealed recently by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, obese Malaysians make up 17.7 percent while the ones that are overweight make up about 30 percent, bringing the percentage to 47.7 percent in total. Statistically, Malaysia is the most obese country in Asia and the officials blame it on the high calorie diet and sedentary urban lifestyle[4]. The health minister has also warned that the country is in the midst of obesity epidemic.
For more information on World Kidney Day 2017 and for registration, please visit http://goo.gl/zMQehB for fun run, and http://goo.gl/NpKmJK for fun cycling ride.
