…then this shared lifestyle can become a model for healthy multicultural living, not a risk factor.
This cultural script promotes over-nutrition. The pressure to eat during social gatherings, combined with the stigmatization of dieting (seen as fussy or unappreciative), drives caloric surplus. Furthermore, mental health—often a taboo topic in both societies—suffers. Depression and anxiety, linked to lifestyle-related NCDs, are underreported. The Indon Besar value of sabar (patience) can discourage seeking psychological help, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms like emotional eating or smoking (Malaysia has high male smoking rates, mirroring Indonesia’s). indon tetek besar best