We are delighted to congratulate Kimberly Wong Yuin Y’ng on her successfully in defending her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis in a rigorous viva voce examination held on January 9, 2025. Her thesis, titled “Spatial Analysis of Fast-Food Environment, Diet and Obesity Among Adults in Malaysia” in understanding the environmental influences on diet and obesity.

Kimberly’s research addresses a crucial public health concern in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) experiencing rapid nutrition transitions. By exploring the spatial distribution of fast-food outlets, dietary patterns, and Body Mass Index (BMI) among Malaysian adults, her study offers nuanced insights into the role of fast-food environments in shaping dietary behaviors and obesity trends. Utilising advanced spatial analysis methods and multilevel linear regression, her findings reveal significant sex differences in the relationship between fast-food access and BMI, with profound implications for localized interventions aimed at promoting healthier eating environments.

Among the key findings of Kimberly’s thesis:

Spatial Clustering of BMI and Fast-Food Intake: High-BMI clusters were observed in suburban districts, with pronounced differences between males and females.
Dietary Patterns and Their Associations: Three distinct dietary patterns were identified—Western, Healthier, and Traditional—highlighting how fast-food intake aligns with Western diet prevalence.
Fast-Food Proximity and BMI: Proximity to fast-food outlets showed opposing effects on BMI by gender, increasing BMI among males while decreasing it among females.
Policy Implications: These findings underline the need for gender-specific and localized strategies to address the public health challenges posed by the proliferation of fast-food outlets.

Kimberly’s work not only advances our understanding of obesity and its environmental determinants but also provides actionable insights for policymakers to develop targeted interventions that address obesity and diet-related disparities across Malaysia.

Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Dr. Kimberly Wong’s supervisors, Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming and Professor Dr. Sanjay Rampal, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of her thesis.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Oyinlola Oyebode from Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom, Professor Dr. Sara F.L. Kirk from Dalhousie University, Canada and Professor Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi.

We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr. Puteri Shafinaz Akmar Abdul, the Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, the Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya and Professor Dr. Victor CW Hoe, Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine.

Heartfelt Congratulations

The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine is immensely proud of Kimberly’s outstanding achievement and her contributions to advancing public health research. We wish her continued success in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing her impactful work drive meaningful changes in the field.

Congratulations, Kimberly!