KUALA LUMPUR, January 16 — Sun Life Malaysia’s 2025 Blood Glucose Screening Programme has found that nearly one in five Malaysians aged 18 to 40 are at risk of prediabetes or diabetes, driven largely by high sugar consumption and low physical activity.
With nationwide screenings of 5,373 participants showing 32.1% recorded elevated blood sugar levels. The study revealed that over half of participants consumed sweetened beverages at least three times a week, with two-thirds of them showing high blood sugar.
While more than 70% of at-risk individuals exercised less than twice weekly; alarmingly, 71% of those with elevated blood sugar expect to rely on personal savings or family support for treatment, and only 18% are covered by insurance or takaful.
Underscoring growing health and financial risks among younger Malaysians.
