Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41214567›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Prevalence and factors associated with physical inactivity among older persons in Malaysia: Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023.

Norizzati Amsah, Nurfatehar Ramly, Lim Kuang Kuay, Noor Ul-Aziha Muhammad, Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff, Hamizatul Akmal Abd Hamid, Halizah Mat Rifin, Nor'ain Abd Wahab, Nurul Huda Ibrahim

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Norizzati AmsahInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia. norizzati.a@moh.gov.my.
Nurfatehar RamlyInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Lim Kuang KuayInstitute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Noor Ul-Aziha MuhammadInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Muhammad Fadhli Mohd YusoffInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Hamizatul Akmal Abd HamidInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Halizah Mat RifinInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Nor'ain Abd WahabInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.
Nurul Huda IbrahimInstitute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, 40170, Malaysia.

Funding

MOH Grant NMRR ID-22-00545-XAC
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhysical activity is crucial for maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases, particularly among older persons. However, various sociodemographic and health-related factors may influence physical activity levels in this population. This study aims to identify the factors associated with physical inactivity among older persons aged 60 years and above in Malaysia.

methodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, a nationwide population-based survey. Older persons aged 60 years and above were included. Variables assessed included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, functional limitations, and health conditions. Physical activity status was categorized as active or inactive. Complex sample logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with physical inactivity, with results reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

resultsA total of 2,979 older persons were included in the analysis. Several significant factors associated with physical inactivity were identified. The prevalence of physical inactivity among older persons aged 60 years and above was 43.2% (95% CI: 40.1-46.4). Physical inactivity was more prevalent among females, urban residents, those with no formal education, low household income (B40), individuals with chronic conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia), and those reporting disabilities or functional difficulties. Complex sample logistic regression analysis that diabetes mellitus (AOR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.14-1.70), overall disability (AOR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.46-2.62), walking difficulty (AOR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.09-2.90), difficulty in self-care (AOR: 7.05; 95% CI: 2.96-16.82), and sedentary behavior more than 4 h per day (AOR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.27-2.11) were significantly associated with increased odds of physical inactivity. Sociodemographic factors such as sex, education level, and residential area were not significantly associated with physical inactivity.

conclusionThis study highlights a substantial prevalence of physical inactivity among older persons in Malaysia. Key factors significantly associated with physical inactivity include the presence of chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, functional limitations, self-care difficulties, overall disability, and sedentary behavior of more than 4 h. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and policies that address health conditions and functional impairments to promote active ageing. Strengthening support systems and rehabilitation programs may help improve physical activity levels and overall well-being among older persons in Malaysia.

Indexed as

ExerciseSedentary BehaviorAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth SurveysHumansMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedMorbidityPrevalenceDiabetes mellitusFunctional disabilityMalaysiaNHMS 2023Older personsPhysical inactivity

Identifiers

PMID41214567
PMCPMC12604174

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.