Sugar highs and waistline woes: in Malaysia, a Ramadan reality check

As the afternoon bleeds into evening, Putrajaya Ramadan bazaar comes alive, with hungry crowds weaving between stalls offering mouth-watering treats to break their fast.

Beyond traditional fare like murtabak, roti john and kuih, newer sugar-laden delights have been gaining popularity – exacerbating health concerns in one of Asia’s most obese nations.

At the bazaar, vendors selling jars of sugary drinks – fruit juices, condensed milk-laced concoctions and vibrantly coloured syrups – acknowledge the risks but insist moderation is key.

“After a whole day of fasting, I think it’s good to have some sugar to regain energy,” Rohana Majid, a government employee, told This Week in Asia. “It’s not a daily thing, just an occasional treat.”

Doctors increasingly disagree. One in five Malaysians has diabetes, according to the health ministry, costing the healthcare system billions annually.