Raising obesity rates among Malaysians will prove severely detrimental to the healthcare system, warns the Consumer Association of Penang.

Its president SM Mohd Idris said obesity could lead to heart complications and diabetes.

"Parents and children have to take responsibility in adopting a healthy lifestyle - good eating habits, exercise and other healthy pursuits," he said in a statement.
He urged the government to ban vending machines dispensing junk food in schools as well as advertisements of junk food during children's television viewing hours.

The veteran consumer activist also urged the government to increase the number of sports facilities in residential areas.