CAP views with concern your report that our soldiers are too fat. A number of these men, who by right should be at peak physical levels in order to discharge their duties effectively, are said to be suffering from diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. These conditions have, more often than not, been linked to unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity.

In November 2003, Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that soldiers would be able to look forward to six meals a day. This was following a government decision to improve the quality and frequency of rations upon advice from nutrition experts.

At that time, CAP expressed concern that the plan to increase the number of meals and calorie intake of soldiers could very well backfire. We pointed out that the overall calorie intake should be in keeping with the nature of their work. If, as part of the armed forces, their duties did not require high levels of physical activity, six meals a day would perhaps be too much.

However, we must view seriously the fact that it is not only soldiers who are too fat. Obesity is on the rise among all Malaysians. According to the Health Ministry's National Health and Morbidity Survey II conducted in 1996, 4.4% of Malaysians are obese, while 16.6% are overweight. A later study found an increase, with 6.2% of Malaysians obese, while 21% were overweight. In other words, one in five are overweight or obese.

Children have not been spared. For instance, a University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) study conducted among 1,026 schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years old in 1998 showed that a total of 12.5% male children and 5% female children were obese.

It has been said that at least 30% of obese children, if not more, will remain obese as they get older. Childhood obesity has been linked to the later development of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and arthritis.

CAP is concerned at these alarming obesity rates. We believe that the increased consumption of junk food, especially among the young, has contributed greatly to the obesity epidemic.

CAP calls on the government to tackle the problem of obesity and ill-health head-on. For a start, there needs to be solid control over the marketing and advertising of food. Food advertising can have a profound effect on food choices and dietary habits. Advertisements of junk food should not be televised during children's TV viewing hours.

The consumption of soft drinks by the young has already been identified as a major cause of the increase in diabetes cases in lower age groups and the government needs to act firmly. For a number of years now, CAP has been calling on the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Education to initiate the removal of vending machines that dispense soft drinks and other junk food from school premises.

The presence of these vending machines is promoting and facilitating easy access of unhealthy food products to young children. We hope the authorities in the health and the education ministries will act soon.

The government should also make it compulsory for manufacturers to reduce the excess sugar and salt in their products. Food outlets, and especially fast food joints, should be pressured to limit portion sizes

In addition, the government should show that they are serious about tackling the problem of increase of chronic diseases, related to unhealthy diets and obesity, by limiting the quantity and frequency of food served at official functions.

Buffets, and the numerous meals served at official functions and seminars should be limited. At most of these seminars and conferences, it is common to see participants being given up to five or six meals a day.

The number of playgrounds, playing fields, walking areas and sports facilities also needs to be increased. An atmosphere that is conducive to living a healthy lifestyle should be available to the whole population.

School authorities have to emphasise healthy diets, and physical activity programmes. At present, it is common to hear of physical activity time slots being replaced in favour of extra time for exam subjects. Schools are known to provide for only one period of physical activity a week.

If decisive action is not taken now, we will probably have a whole army of obese individuals - not just made up of soldiers, but the whole population.

The writer is the president of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).