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Prevalence And Factors Associated with Physical Inactivity Among Malaysian Adults

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Abstract
Using data from the Third Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) in 2006, this study examined the association between socio-demographic factors and physical inactivity in a sample of 33,949 adults aged 18 years and above by gender. Physical activity levels were measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQvers 1). Physical inactivity was defined as having a total physi­cal activity level of less than 600 metabolic equivalents-minutes per week (METs­minutes/week) contributed by all three different life domains.Logistic regression analyses were conducted.The prevalence of overall physical inactivity was 43.7%(95% CI: 42.9-44.5). The mean total physical activity level was 894.2 METs-minutes/week. The means METs-minutes/week for the domain of work, travelling, and leisure time were 518A 288.1, and 134.8, respectively. Multivariable logistic regres­sion analyses indicated that females were more likely to be physically inactive than males were (aOR=l.62; 95% CI: 1.53-1.72). Among women, being a housewife (aOR=l.78; 95% Cl: l.56-2.03t widow/divorcee (aOR=l.23; 95% CI: l.05-l.43t and those with no formal education (aOR=l.20; 95% Cl: 1.01-1.43) were found to be significantly associated with physical inactivity. Urban residents, older adults aged 65 years and above, private employees, nonworking group, and those with a monthly household income level of MYR5,000 and above appeared to be consis­tently associated with physical inactivity across men, women, and combined group (both). Specific health intervention strategies to promote physical activity should be targeted on population subgroups who are inactive
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National Health and Morbidity Survey, Physical inactivity, Prevalence, Socio-demographic factors, Malaysia
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