KUCHING, Jan. 9 -- About half of Sarawak's population is overweight due largely to an imbalanced diet that has resulted in excessive nutrient intake, said Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

The deputy premier, who is also state minister of public health, housing and local government, said the state is no longer facing a problem with undernutrition, but overnutrition driven by unhealthy eating habits and insufficient physical activity.

"Exercise is very important because 50 per cent of Sarawakians are overweight, whether we like it or not. When people talk about malnutrition, they often think of undernutrition but, in reality, we are facing overnutrition.

"Children eat happily without knowing limits. This happens because we do not teach them w...