HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
Health Challenges Facing the Youth Health issues are on the rise among Asian youth with many starting to develop non-communicable diseases at a younger age. In this article, Simon Sum shares insights and recommendations on how HCPs can engage with and promote health among this age group. Simon Sum, Director, Scientific Affairs, Herbalife Nutrition
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sian countries are struggling to battle health issues affecting their youth population, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the rise in recent years. Based on United Nation statistics in 2019, Asia contains most of the world’s youth population (15-24 years). A report from the Population Reference Bureau has also shown that people are starting to develop NCDs at a younger age. The four main NCDs defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. The main risk factors – unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and harmful alcohol use – are typically established during adolescence
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A SI A N H O S P I T A L & H EA LT HCAR E M A N AGE M E N T
and young adulthood. The recent rise in these risk factors among youths in Asia indicate the region’s uphill battle to improve health outcomes for this group. Common health challenges affecting the youth
Diet shifts and sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the rapid increase in obesity rates. Economic growth in Asian countries over the years has led to diet changes from healthier traditional diets to an over-dependence on convenient diets high in calories, sodium, added sugar and fats. Such diets increase the risk of obesity for Asians, including the youth. Moreover, studies have also highlighted that youths prefer junk
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food that is nutrient deficient. As such, malnourishment from insufficient vitamin and mineral intakes have also become an issue along with overweight and obesity – the double burden of malnutrition. In addition, there is some evidence suggesting that the lack of physical activity, other than the consumption of high-fat foods, is also a significant cause of obesity. Decreased physical activity due to occupational and recreational changes is hence viewed as a major contributor to the growing health crisis. A study discovered high prevalence of physical inactivity (80.4 per cent) and sedentary behaviour (33.0 per cent) among school going youths (13-15
