Dataset Information

Physical Activity and Its Correlates among Adults in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

ABSTRACT: Obesity and rates of non-communicable diseases linked to physical inactivity have increased dramatically in Malaysia over the past 20 years. Malaysia has also been identified as one of the least physically active countries in the world with over 60% of adults being essentially sedentary. This study examines the relationship of socio-demographic factors to physical activity among 770 adults from 3 Malaysian states. Physical activity levels were significantly related to ethnicity, gender, age, occupation and educational level. Controlling for inter-relationships among these variables; age, gender, Chinese ethnicity and education level were found to have unique effects on total physical activity, as well as moderate and vigorous exercise. As would be expected, younger people were more physically active, engaging more in both moderate and vigorous types of exercise and males were generally more active than females. Contrary to findings from many developed countries, however, more educated Malaysians were less likely to engage in all types of physical activity. Ethnic Chinese participants, and to a lesser degree Indians also consistently reported lower levels of activity. Possible intervention strategies are discussed that specifically target ethnic and cultural norms related to physical activity. Future research programs exploring barriers to participation and perceptions of physical activity, as well as programs to encourage active life styles among youths are also suggested.

SUBMITTER: Cai Lian T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4917165 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Physical Activity and Its Correlates among Adults in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

Cai Lian Tam T Bonn Gregory G Si Han Yeoh Y Chin Choo Yap Y Chee Piau Wong W

PloS one 20160622 6

Obesity and rates of non-communicable diseases linked to physical inactivity have increased dramatically in Malaysia over the past 20 years. Malaysia has also been identified as one of the least physically active countries in the world with over 60% of adults being essentially sedentary. This study examines the relationship of socio-demographic factors to physical activity among 770 adults from 3 Malaysian states. Physical activity levels were significantly related to ethnicity, gender, age, occ ...[more]

PMID: 27332883

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Project description:BackgroundPhysical inactivity among children is an increasing problem that adversely affects children's health. A better understanding of factors which affect physical activity (PA) will help create effective interventions aimed at raising the activity levels of children. This cross-sectional study examined the associations of PA with individual (biological, social, behavioral, psychological) and environmental (East vs. West Germany, rural vs. urban regions) characteristics in children.MethodsInformation on PA and potential correlates was collected from 1843 girls and 1997 boys using questionnaires during the 10-year follow-up of two prospective birth cohort studies (GINIplus and LISAplus). Study regions represent urban and rural sites as well as East and West of Germany. Logistic regression modeling was applied to examine cross-sectional associations between individual as well as environmental factors and PA levels.ResultsFive of fourteen variables were significantly associated with PA. Among children aged 10, girls tended to be less active than boys, especially with respect to vigorous PA (OR = 0.72 for summer). Children who were not a member of a sports club showed a substantially reduced amount of PA in winter (OR = 0.15). Rural environments promote moderate PA, particularly in winter (OR = 1.88), whereas an increased time outdoors primarily promotes moderate PA in summer (OR = 12.41). Children with abnormal emotional symptoms exhibited reduced physical activity, particularly in winter (OR = 0.60). BMI, puberty, parental BMI, parental education, household income, siblings, TV/PC consumption, and method of arriving school, were not associated with PA.ConclusionsWhen considering correlates of PA from several domains simultaneously, only few factors (sex, sports club membership, physical environment, time outdoors, and emotional symptoms) appear to be relevant. Although the causality needs to be ascertained in longitudinal studies, variables which cannot be modified should be used to identify risk groups while modifiable variables, such as sports club activities, may be addressed in intervention programs.

Project description:BackgroundPhysical inactivity and sedentary behavior are significant risk factors for various non-communicable diseases. Bangkok, Thailand's capital, is one of the fastest-growing metropolitans in Southeast Asia. Few studies have investigated the epidemiology of physical activity and sedentary behavior among Bangkok residents. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of combined physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns among Bangkok residents and examine relationships between participants' characteristics and the combined movement patterns.MethodsWe analyzed data from the nationally representative 2021 Health Behavior Survey conducted by the Thailand National Statistical Office. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior. 'Sufficiently active' was defined as meeting the World Health Organization's guidelines for aerobic physical activity (≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week). 'Low sedentary time' was defined as sitting for ≤7 hours per day. Participants were categorized into one of four movement patterns: highly active/low sedentary, highly active/highly sedentary, low active/low sedentary, and low active/highly sedentary. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with each group of four movement patterns.ResultsAmong the 3,137 individuals included in the study, the majority were categorized as highly active/highly sedentary (64.8%), followed by highly active/low sedentary (17.9%) and low active/highly sedentary (14.3%). Only a few (3.0%) of participants were categorized as being low active/low sedentary. Compared to males, female participants had a significantly higher likelihood of belonging to the highly active/low sedentary (AOR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.25, 2.28) or highly active/highly sedentary (AOR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.19, 1.93) group, rather than the low active/high sedentary group. Compared to unemployed/retired participants, those in labor-intensive occupations had a significantly higher likelihood of being in the highly active/low sedentary group (AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.22, 2.94). Compared to participants with no chronic physical conditions, participants who reported multimorbidity had a significantly lower likelihood of being in the highly active/low sedentary group (AOR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.37, 0.98).ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior among residents of Bangkok using up-to-date data. The majority belonged to the highly active/highly sedentary group, followed by the highly active/low sedentary group. Correlates such as sex, occupation, and chronic conditions were associated with these patterns. Targeted interventions in recreational activities, workplaces, and urban areas, including screen time control measures, movement breaks and improved built environments, are crucial in reducing sedentary behavior and promoting physical activity.

Project description:ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study examined environmental correlates of sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) in preschool children in the urban area of Tianjin, China.MethodsData were collected from the Physical Activity and Health in Tianjin Chinese Children study, involving healthy children 3-6 years old and their families. In all children (n = 980), leisure-time SB (LTSB) and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were reported in min/day by parents. In a subgroup (n = 134), overall sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were objectively measured using ActiGraph accelerometry (≥3 days, ≥10 h/day). Environmental correlates were collected using a questionnaire that included home and neighborhood characteristics (e.g., traffic safety, presence of physical activity facilities) and children's behaviors. Potential correlates were identified using linear regression analysis.ResultsMultiple linear regression analysis showed that "having grandparents as primary caregivers" (βs and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for overall sedentary time: 29.7 (2.1-57.2); LTSB (ln): 0.19 (0.11-0.28)) and "having a television (for LTSB (ln): 0.13 (0.00-0.25)) or computer (for LTSB (ln): 0.13 (0.03-0.23)) in the child's bedroom" were both associated with higher SB. Furthermore, "having grandparents as primary caregivers" was associated with less MVPA (β (95%CI): -7.6 (-14.1 to -1.2)), and "active commuting to school by walking" correlated with more MVPA (β (95%CI): 9.8 (2.2-17.4)). The path model showed that "more neighborhood PA facilities close to home" was indirectly related to higher LTPA (ln), which was partly mediated by "outdoor play" (path coefficients (95%CI): 0.005 (0.002-0.008)) and "going to these facilities more often" (path coefficients (95%CI): 0.013 (0.008-0.018)). Traffic safety was not a correlate.ConclusionFamily structure and media exposure in the home maybe important factors in shaping preschoolers' PA patterns. Built environmental correlates could indirectly influence preschoolers' LTPA through parental help with engaging in active behaviors.

Dataset Information

Physical Activity and Its Correlates among Adults in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

Publications

Physical Activity and Its Correlates among Adults in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

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