The Evaluation of Obesity in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper shows how obesity can affect the productivity of any country. In our case, we evaluate its impact on Malaysia. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate any relationship between obesity and productivity. We then assess the association between obesity and the growth in labor productivity. We propose a new index entitled “The National Obesity Behavior Index (NOB-Index).” The NOB-Index offers the possibility to evaluate and monitoring expansion or contraction of obesity on the national and regional level. Finally, we provide a series of recommendations and policies to help solve this deep health problem in Malaysia.

Keywords: Obesity, Productivity, Malaysia, Health care, Childcare

JEL Classification: I1, I3