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International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences (IJPHCS)
Open Access e-journal ISSN : 2289-7577
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OLDER PEOPLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT IN KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

Hami R.

Abstract


ABSTRACT

Background: Older people are generally less physically active than young adults. As the aging population increases, the prevalence of diseases associated with aging also increases. There are numerous health benefits of physical activity for older people. The promotion of regular exercise among the adults is considered a crucial step in preventing a wide range of chronic diseases. The objective of this study is to determine the physical activity level among older people using a validated Modified Baecke Questionnaire and the associated factors for the older people being physically inactive.

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The respondents were the elderly aged 60 and above, and were selected by convenience sampling from the outpatient clinics at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). The Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults was translated to Malay and was administered by structured interview. The total score of the questionnaires was divided into quartiles to classify the respondents into the categories of low, moderate or high physical activity. Low and moderate physical activity levels were further categorized into the inactive group and high activity level was categorized as the active group.

Result: The minimum and maximum score obtained were 0.72 and 21.31, respectively with a mean (SD) of 3.85 (2.87). Low, moderate and high physical activity categories comprise of 47.7%, 26.1% and 26.2% of the respondents, respectively. Majority of the respondents (73.8%) fell into the inactive group. Univariable and multivariable analysis of 12 socio demographic and clinical characteristics were not significantly associated with physically inactive elderly.

Conclusion: Majority of the elderly fell into the inactive group (73.8%) and no factor was significantly associated with physically inactive elderly in this study.                                                 

Keywords: physical activity, older people, Modified Baecke Questionnaire, Kelantan, Malaysia


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