(Bandar Seri Begawan, 4th) In conjunction with World Obesity Day 2026, the Brunei Ministry of Health organized a commemorative event, with Minister of Health Dato Isham delivering a speech emphasizing that Brunei, together with the global community, answers this year's theme of "800 Million Reasons to Act on Obesity," urging the government and all sectors of society to take comprehensive and coordinated measures in response.
The Minister stressed that obesity is not only a personal issue; it also has profound impacts on national health, economic development, social well-being, and the next generation. All sectors must continue to cooperate and jointly promote long-term solutions.
According to the 2019 Global School Health Survey (GSHS), 18.1% of Bruneian adolescents aged 13 to 17 are classified as obese, with 35.6% overweight; meanwhile, the 2022-2023 National STEPS Survey showed that the adult obesity rate reached 32.4%, among the highest in Southeast Asia. The survey also indicated that unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, and other lifestyle factors remain the main sources of risk.
The Minister stated that obesity is a major risk factor for various non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, and many forms of cancer. These conditions remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. In addition, obesity places a heavy burden on medical resources and affects patients' quality of life.
In order to systematically address the obesity issue, the Ministry of Health established an "Obesity Steering Committee" in 2024 to strengthen policy coordination and cross-sector cooperation, and is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to formulate a comprehensive prevention and control strategy.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health and the WHO jointly launched the world's first "Obesity Chronic Care Program Training Course," incorporating obesity management into the primary healthcare system. The WHO selected Brunei as the first country to implement this training program, with the aim of enhancing the professional capacity of local healthcare workers in obesity management.
In addition, the authorities are promoting several key measures, including collaborating with the Ministry of Education to implement the "Healthy Promoting Schools" (GLOW) program to foster a healthy dietary environment and encourage sports activities in schools; and a six-month "Healthy Lifestyle Program" (PCHS), which covers nutrition lectures, cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and mental health talks. Among the first batch of participants, 38.6% successfully lost more than 5% of their weight, and 6.8% lost more than 10%.
Bandar Seri Begawan Central Hospital has also established an obesity clinic for adults, providing comprehensive management services including medication, dietary counseling, exercise prescriptions, and psychological support. The 2024 audit data show that the clinic has achieved significant results in helping manage severe obesity and cardiovascular risk.
The Ministry of Health noted that school health services will also strengthen weight screening and management measures, demonstrating the government's determination to safeguard the health of future generations.
However, the authorities emphasized that relying solely on policies and programs is not enough. All sectors of society, including parents, educators, employers, and community leaders, should collectively create an environment that supports healthy choices. The Ministry of Health calls on everyone to promote balanced diets and active lifestyles, reduce the stigma against people with obesity, and provide necessary support to jointly build a healthier Brunei society.