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International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences (IJPHCS)
Open Access e-journal ISSN : 2289-7577
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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN MALAYSIA: FINDINGS FROM ADOLESCENTS NUTRITION SURVEY (ANS 2017)

Nur Azian Mohd Zaki, Norazizah Ibrahim Wong, Nur Shahida Abdul Aziz, Syafinaz Mohd Sallehuddin, Ruhaya Salleh

Abstract


Background: Despite the acknowledged benefit of physical activity in maintaining health and preventing diseases, physical inactivity remains a major public health problem in children and adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and associated factors of physical inactivity among Malaysian adolescents using data from the Adolescent Nutrition Survey (ANS) 2017.

Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study using multi-stage stratified sampling method. A representative sample of adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old with completed questionnaire was included. Their physical activity status was determined using the validated Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The associated factors analysed were gender, age, screen time, supplement intake, breakfast intake in past 7 days, BMI status and body weight perception. Multiple logistic regression method was used to identify the factors that were associated with physical inactivity.

Result: The overall prevalence of physical inactivity in the present study was 55.4% (95% CI: 53.64-57.19). Physical inactivity was found significantly higher among females and older age group. About 62% of adolescents who skipped breakfast in the past 7 days were physically inactive. There was no significant difference in prevalence of physically inactive observed between BMI status and body weight perception. Multivariate analysis showed that females, older age, engagement in screen time of more than 2 hours per day during schooling days and weekends, skipping breakfast in the past 7 days, BMI and body weight perception status were associated factors of physical inactivity among adolescents.

Conclusion: The findings from this study showed that the prevalence of physical inactivity among adolescents in Malaysia was high. There is an urgent need for national policy makers to promote active living and reducing sedentary behaviour among adolescents in Malaysia.

Keywords: Adolescent, Physical inactivity, Malaysia, factor associated


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