Malaysia must confront broader societal factors driving childhood diabetes.
PETALING JAYA: Early detection and healthier school environments must become national priorities if Malaysia is to curb the rising tide of childhood diabetes, said Universiti Malaya Medical Centre Senior Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist Prof Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin.
He said prevention must begin long before children end up in hospitals.
“Early screening and school-based interventions are absolutely key to reducing the long-term burden of diabetes in our children.
“The earlier we detect risks such as obesity, insulin resistance or abnormal blood sugar levels, the better our chances of preventing or delaying complications,” he said.
He outlined several measures that could be applied nationwide.
Strengthen school health screenings: Annual BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure checks, with flagged cases referred to primary care. The National Physical Fitness Standard Test should be enhanced as an early detection option.
Introduce targeted glucose screening: Simple finger-prick tests for overweight children or those with family history or signs of insulin resistance.
Improve canteen offerings, integrate lifestyle education, ensure regular exercise and involve parents.
Train teachers and school nurses to recognise early warning signs such as excessive thirst, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss.
Integrate data systems. Record screening results into national registries.
Muhammad Yazid also highlighted the MyBFF@school programme as a successful research-backed initiative ready for nationwide rollout.
“These are achievable steps. They don’t require new hospitals. They require coordination, awareness and consistent implementation,” he said.
“If we start screening and educating early, we can dramatically reduce the number of children who develop Type 2 diabetes, and help those with Type 1 diabetes live healthier, complication-free lives.
“Early action today means a healthier generation tomorrow.”
Beyond clinical care, he said Malaysia must confront broader societal factors driving childhood diabetes.
He called for attention on the following areas.
Healthy food environments: Stronger regulations on marketing sugary foods, expanding the sugar tax, improving school canteen guidelines.
Stronger health education: Nutrition and lifestyle lessons from early primary school, with parental involvement.
Built environments that encourage activity: Safe parks, cycling paths and sports facilities.
Mandatory school screenings with intervention services and national registry integration.
Cross-agency coordination: Enlisting Education, Youth and Sports, Local Government and Agriculture ministries.
“We need a whole-of-society approach combining policy, education and community action. If we act boldly today through smarter policies and stronger community engagement, we can turn the rising curve of childhood diabetes around.”
