Majority of Malaysians Uninterested in Exercise: Survey Results

Physical Inactivity among Malaysians

There’s a rising trend of sedentary behavior among Malaysians, with a greater incidence of physical inactivity compared to their neighboring countries. As reported in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, one in every three adults in Malaysia is leading a physically inactive lifestyle.

The study pointed out that among those leading sedentary lives, a significant 50% spent more than two hours daily sitting, lying down, or reclining while awake. Furthermore, a remarkable 84% of surveyed adults reported they didn’t engage in any sports, fitness, or leisure activities, and neither did they walk or cycle for commuting.

The Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior

The survey revealed that almost 30% of the adult population in Malaysia were physically inactive, showing a decrease compared to 2006 figures (43.7%). The study also highlighted that nearly half (49.9%) of the adult population exhibited sedentary behavior. The data for the NHMS 2023 Report was collected during July to September of the preceding year.

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Of the 13,616 respondents who participated in this survey, the response rate was strong at 83.2%.

Comparative Inactivity Rates in Other Countries

A comparative report by the World Health Organisation on physical activity in 2022 showed that 35% of males and 43% of females aged 18 and above in Malaysia were physically inactive. In Singapore, 34% of males and 39% of females in the same age group showed similar sedentary behavior. The figures were lower in Thailand (22% of males and 27% of females) and Indonesia (24% of males and 22% of females). Japan and Australia had higher figures, with 34% of males and 37% of females in Japan being inactive and 26% of males and 34% of females in Australia leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Physical inactivity is defined here as not meeting the recommended physical activity for adults aged 18 and above, which is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or a combination of both throughout the week.

Implications of a Sedentary Lifestyle

According to Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a health economics and public health specialist at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Medicine, the statistics are not surprising given the annual increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs have multiple implications, including reduced productivity, a decrease in quality of life, premature death, and disability.

Factors contributing to this include poor lifestyle choices, increased work demand, stress, unhealthy diet habits, and sedentary lifestyles. Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat also discusses the impact of desk jobs on physical inactivity, suggesting that the nature of such work can discourage physical movement, similar to professions like cab or lorry drivers.

Potential Solutions to Counteract Sedentary Behavior

Fitness and wellness coach Jonnath Tan suggests the implementation of simple habits to encourage physical movement in the workplace. One such habit is carrying a one-litre water bottle to work and finishing it within approximately two hours. This not only ensures hydration but also promotes movement, as individuals would need to use the toilet and refill the bottle frequently.

Jonnath also advocates for more daily walking. Though the guideline recommends 10,000 steps a day, he advises starting with a comfortable number and progressing towards the target over time, emphasizing the importance of consistency.