1.

0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Obesity is the main cause of chronic illness and risk of being is increasing in young
adults. Young adults (18-25 years old) are prone to overweight and obesity during the
transition from adolescence to adult in developing countries. Levels of overweight and
obesity together with other cardiovascular risk factors increase with age even within this
age span.
Critics of the fast food industry point to several features that may make fast food less
healthy than other types of restaurant food (Spurlock, 2004; Schlosser, 2004). The largest
fast food chains are also characterized by aggressive marketing to young adults. In
addition, fast food is especially popular among young adults, who on average visit a fast-
food outlet twice per week or more. These include low monetary and time costs,
substantial portions, and high calorie density of signature menu items.

1.2 Statement of problems.

People who are obese are prone to more serious illnesses such as heart attacks, high
blood pressure and diabetes. The connection between diabetes and heart disease starts with
high blood sugar levels. Over time, the high glucose in the bloodstream can damage the
arteries, causing them to become stiff and hard. Fatty material that builds up on the inside
of these blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can eventually block
blood flow to the heart or brain, leading to heart attack or stroke. Your risk of heart disease
with diabetes is further elevated if you also have a family history of cardiovascular disease
or stroke.
Obese people are always being teased by others because of their disabilities of doing
what normal people can do for instance exercising, modelling and socializing. For
overweight young adults as well as their parents, living with excess pounds can be
heartbreaking. In its own way, the social stigma attached to being overweight can be as
damaging to a young adult as the physical diseases and conditions that often accompany
obesity. Most obese individuals feel ugly or unattractive. This greatly affects their
confidence to interact or socialize with people. Consequently, these individuals tend to be
loners and socially awkward.
1.3 Objective
To identify the contributing factors of obesity among young adults in Parit
Raja.
To find out the appropriate way to reduce the obesity of young adults.
To identify the effect of obesity among young adults in Parit Raja.
1.4 Significance of the study
It will help the young adults in Parit Raja adopt healthy lifestyle.
It will help to minimize obesity among young adults in Parit Raja and helps in
reducing chronic illness.
It will help parent recommendations regarding the timing and content of
young adults prevention strategies were consistent.
It will help the related sectors to plan a programme related to healthy life style
and after implementation of a managed health can increase in productivity and
reduced the risk of illnesses.
1.5 Limitation of study
The study is limited in terms of young adults between the ages of 18-25 years
old in Parit Raja. Only 30 respondents arrange for responses.
The data is collected through questionnaire and observations.
Due to unwillingness of providing any information, the respondents filling the
questionnaire casually which might have affect the conclusions.
The busy schedule of respondents will make the collection of information a
difficult one.
1.6 Procedure/Methodology
1.6.1 Study population: Young adults
1.6.2 Study area: Parit Raja
Potentially contribute to the achievement of our objectives
Limitation in time frame due to deadline of the research
During a brainstorming session, giving us a time limit and then
letting us consider any thoughts we have in considering what the
topic of our research will be
1.6.3 Sample size: Determined by 30 number of respondents
 Randomly distribute the questionnaire to 30 respondents to collect
data
Questionnaire session will be proceeding after the proposal is
approved
Around main campus and Kampus Bandar area.
1.6.4 Sample frame: Determined from Parit Raja
1.6.5 Inclusive criteria:
Young adults between age group 18 to 25 years old.
Only the young adults that willing to participate will be included.
1.6.6 Tools and techniques of data collection: Questionnaire will be used.
1.6.7 Validity: Through literature review and consultation with concerned
advisor, subject lecturer and guides.
1.6.8 This is the questionnaire that had been given to the respondents.
Questionnaire.
2.0 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

The question has been distributed to 30 respondents throughout Parit Raja to identify
the contributing factors of obesity among young adults in Parit Raja, to identify the effect of
obesity among young adults in Parit Raja and to find out the appropriate ways to reduce the
obesity of young adults in Parit Raja. This is the answer for all 30 respondents that have been
answering our questionnaire.

PART A: BASIC PERSONAL BACKGROUND

1. Gender

50% 50%

Male Female

2. Age

7%
20%
17%

56%

18-19 years old 20-21 years old

22-23 years old 24-25 years old
PART B: IN THIS PART, WE WANT TO IDENTIFY THE CONTRIBUTING
FACTORS OF OBESITY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN PARIT RAJA.
1. On average, how often do you eat?

0%3%

47%

50%

One meal a day Two meals a day A few times a day Others

2. If you eat out, what influences your decision to eat out most?

20%
23%

57%

It's convenient for me It tastes better than nothing Limited time

3. When picking food or snacks, what influences your decision most?

10% 7%

23%

60%

How healthy it is How much it cost How it tastes How convenient it is

The pie chart is about what influences your decision most when picking food or
snacks.
From the pie chat, the most influences decisions were how much it cost got the
highest percentage with 60% while the least influence were how healthy it is with 7%.
The other influences are how it tastes and how convenient it is which 23% and 10%
respectively.
Many respondents choose how much it cost were the most influences decision
when picking food or snacks is because with the economy right now, people need to
save more for the future expenses. Most of Parit Raja residents were students and
student does not have much money, with how much it cost were the best choices for
them to saving money. The least influences decision on picking food or snacks were
how much healthy it is. This is because with related with the most choices that how
much it cost, the cheaper the food the less healthy it is. For example, it easy to prepare
less healthy food other than healthy food. Less healthy food not require time to
prepared, for example instant noodles, 3 in 1 coffee, nugget and so on.
4. Would you sometimes eat when you are not really hungry?

30%

70%

Yes No

5. What keeps you from eating well sometimes?

22%
26%

52%

Confidence or body image Lack of willpower Commercials and billboards

PART C : IN THIS PART, WE WANT TO IDENTIFY THE EFFECT OF OBESITY
AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN PARIT RAJA
1.0 Select one of the following causes of obesity most contributing for overweight condition.

13%

50%

37%

Poor food choices Sedentary lifestyles Chronic dieting

2.0 Which of these descriptions would best identify how society perceives the overweight and
obese?

23%

0%
50%

27%

Out of control Contempt Pity Neutral

The pie chart above shows that how society perceives the overweight and obese
person.
 From the pie chart above the out of control got the highest percentages on how
society perceives the overweight or obese with 50% and the least is 0% which were
pity. The other reasons were contempt and neutral which 27% and 23% respectively.
Many respondents said that the best identify how society perceives the
overweight and obese is that they are out of control. This is because of the intent to eat
all that they can and never limit they diet. As long they can eat it, they will, no matter
what. They always feel that they have to have something to chew on and if not, they
will feel uncomfortable. How society identify overweight and obese with the least
choices is pity. People does not consider they as helpless person is because they can do
what other people do. It depends on willingness and effort. Everyone can do anything,
and people should not consider them as helpless person.

3.0 What do you think is the effect of being overweight?

0%

20%

0%

80%

Social Life Job Family Others

PART D: THIS PART, WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT APPROPRIATE WAY TO
REDUCE THE OBESITY OF YOUNG ADULTS IN PARIT RAJA.
1. Do you feel comfortable working out in a gym?

47%

53%

Yes No

The pie chart above shows the comfortableness of respondents working out in
a gym.
From the pie chart above the highest percentage is working out in a gym was
53% and the least percentage of working out in a gym is 47%.
It shown that many respondents feel comfortable working out in a gym because
in Parit Raja there are so many gyms that provide a good facilities and services to
their customers. In addition, Parit Raja gym has a wide range of options. For
example, for man and woman who wants to go to gym doing some exercise. The
gym will offer a special day for man and woman. It makes them feel more secure
and comfortable doing the exercises in the gym with the provided facilities.
2. Do you believe exercise will help to lose kilos?

7%

93%

Yes No

3. Do other peoples weight loss success stories influence the same diet tips and
methods they used to lose weight?

3%

20%

23%

20%

34%

Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never

4. How to improve health or lose weight?

13%

27%

60%

Eating healthier foods Watching portion sizes Dieting with a plan

The pie chart above shows that on how to improve health and lose weight.
From the pie chart above eating healthier foods got the highest percentage from
the respondents on how to improve health or lose weight with 60% and the least
percentage on how to improve health and lose weight is by dieting with a plan got
13%. The other method is watching portion sizes with 27%.
Many respondents choose eating healthier foods is the best ready to improve
health or lose weight because our body need all the nutrients from the food. The
healthier food gives us the energy to face our day as for student. Dieting with a plan
is the least chosen by the Parit Raja residents because of the lack of time. This is
based on how busy the person is and too much work. For example, student did not
have much time for doing such plan while they busy life from doing report,
presentation, assignment, test, and quiz. They too busy for other things that they
even forget to have their meals.
5. How often do you exercise each week?

27%
33%

40%

Never Once or twice More than twice

The pie shows the results of the respondents of how often they exercise each
week.
From the pie chart above once or twice got the highest percentage from the
respondents for exercise each week with 50% and the least percentage was more
than twice which was 27%. The other result from the respondents was never which
was 33%
Many respondents choose once or twice time to exercise each week because
Parit Raja is a developing area. They were a factories and university located in Parit
Raja. Young adult in Parit Raja has the high opportunities in a developing area
either looking for a job or continue study. It shown that the busy the area the chances
for the people who lives in that area has less of time to exercise. In addition, in
developing area those young adults have lack of time to take care of their own health
because of tired working or going to class for the whole day once after return from
work or class they will thinking about sleeping thus ignoring the importance of their
health.
6. Which of these diet tips would work the best?

13%

40%

30%

17%

Reduce portions Reduce soda consumption

Reduce fast food Reduce sweets

The pie chart shows that the diet tips that work the best chosen by the responded.

From the pie chart above, to reduce portions got the highest percentage from the
respondents for diet tips that would work the best which was 40%. The lowest
percentage was to reduce sweets which was 13% The other diet tips is reduce fast
food and reduce soda consumption which was 30% and 17% respectively.

Many respondents said that reduce portion was the best diet tips maybe because
it already been research by scientist that a person need an average woman needs to
eat about 2000 calories per day to maintain, and 1500 calories to lose one pound of
weight per week. An average man needs 2500 calories to maintain, and 2000 to lose
one pound of weight per week. However, this depends on numerous factors. Simply
said that people need appropriate amount of food for the body to process. Too much
food or energy will become fat. The least percentage is to reduce sweets which is
13%. This is because many people prefer sweet stuff over tasteless food. Even in
our drink we need to add much sugar to make it delicious and suitable for our taste.
Not many people prefer tasteless stuff.
7. What do you consider the most important of healthy diet plan?

17% 16%

17%

50%

Fast weight loss Easy weight loss Safe and healthy weight lost Permenent weight loss

In this pie chart we could see the different percentage of the most important healthy
diet plan.

From on the pie chart above safe and healthy weight loss got the highest percentage
from the respondents for healthy diet plan with 50% and the least percentage important
of healthy diet plan is fast weight loss which was 16%. From the pie chart also, we can
see the percentage for permanent weight loss and easy weight loss is similar which is
17%.

Based on the pie chart many respondents in Parit Raja choose safe and healthy
weight loss because its safe weight-loss-rate and nutritional components and
because it is also based on nutrition principles and overall healthy food choices it
sounds like nutrition principles and overall healthy food choices. Fast weight loss was
the least among the important of healthy diet plan because in Parit Raja the respondents
knew the effect of fast weight loss could trigger some bad-side effects and make they
feel unhealthy rather than healthier. A healthy diet plan gives us the nutrients that our
body needs every day.
3.1 CONCLUSION
3.2 Firstly, is the lack of exercise, young adults in Parit Raja nowadays are too ignoring
about healthy lifestyle that plays a significant role on obesity. They are too busy
with their work and do not have much time to do some exercise in the evening.
Furthermore, they are having their stressful life and as a result, they decide to eat.
In addition, young adult attitudes that are too lazy to have an exercise also make
them become obese. They have yet to realize the importance of exercise. Young
adults today spend their time in front of television, surfing the internet during their
pleasure time. For example, the mass media today has its own attractive program to
attract young adult to watch television, playing online games, and open media social
in the evening
3.3 Furthermore, is eating habits Young adults nowadays like to have dinner after nine
in the evening. This is because they are too busy with their work and tend to have
late dinner. In their mind, they always think that dinner is less important than
breakfast. Besides that, they also have a simple life by taking a lot of instant food
more than taking vegetables and fruits in their portion. They do not know that
instant foods are high in chemical and low in nutrition. Young adults have yet to
realize the importance of nutrition that is 70% of the body needed.
3.4 Moreover, young adults mostly eat more meals in fast food restaurants, which often
serve oversized portions of calorie-dense foods. Portion sizes of packaged foods,
such as burger and soft drinks, have gotten larger over the years. Some of these
meals and snacks can feed two or more people. While the portions have become
large, the person will still eat the complete meal regardless of feeling full or not.
This means that people are eating bigger portions of junk food leading to abnormal
weight gain. Eating large portions means too much energy imbalanced diet. Over
time, this will cause weight gain if it is not balanced with physical activity.
4.0 RECOMMENDATION
4.1 Eat five to six servings of fruits and vegetables daily. For example, a vegetable
serving is one cup of raw vegetables or one-half cup of cooked vegetables or
vegetable juice and a fruit serving is one piece of small to medium fresh fruit one-
half cup of canned or fresh fruit or fruit juice, or one-fourth cup of dried fruit.
4.2 Weight and measure food to gain an understanding of portion sizes. For example, a
three-ounce serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards. Avoid super-sized menu
items particularly at fast-food restaurants. You can achieve a lot just with proper
choices in serving sizes.
4.3 Crack a sweat, accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity activity
on most or preferably all days of the week. Examples include walking a 15-minute
mile or weeding and hoeing the garden.