Eating to live

TRADITIONAL values equate fat with prosperity. In fact, many parents still go out of their way to fatten children in the name of family reputation and pride. Eating out, too, has become the norm for many families because the two-income urban, nuclear family pervades and the eateries have accommodated well to meet the appetites of all social classes. Every township throughout the country is well stocked with hawker stalls and major urban centres are inundated with restaurants of almost every imaginable cuisine from around the world. The food business has always been big in this country, but today it is booming and the oncoming fasting month for Muslims will create an annual explosion that extends beyond the faithful -- and prove that even Ramadan can be an insufficient incentive for self-restraint.

Not surprisingly, therefore, obesity is fast on the tail of increasing wealth as Malaysians eat their way through the day over business meetings and social get-togethers, the three daily meals and the peckish urges. Food -- snacks, fast food, gourmet meals and local delicacies -- is the centre of socialising and bonding activities and helps fill the many moments of couch potato inactivity and indolence. Understandably, some are urging a reduction in the number of food outlets. Indeed, several countries severely regulate unhealthy food. But why blame the vendors when customers are more than happy to pay for this gratuitous pleasure, which has become a huge problem of modern life? Others argue that food sold should be healthily prepared: less of the oily and sugary stuff. Well said, but again vendors will only respond if the market demands it.

In the final analysis, it is up to individuals to opt for healthy eating habits, something legislation cannot achieve without resistance because its negative impact can be far reaching. Narcotics, for example, can kill and maim and so naturally legislation and good policing is the way out, but food? Imagine outlawing nasi lemak, nasi briyani and the whole array of fatty Malaysian culinary delights. In all probability it will lead to much unhappiness because of the invasive nature of such a move, not to mention the adverse economic impact. Instead, the public should be educated to bring into practice the popular maxim of "eating to live". This can be achieved when people live actively, pursuing healthy activities like sports and attention-grabbing hobbies that stimulate both body and mind. Children ought to be encouraged to live healthily through local sport centres, libraries and other engaging interactions. There is a need to create young people whose minds controls matter and reason replaces instinct.