Association between Body Mass Index, Physical Activity and Quality of Life amongst Older People in Malaysia during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.6.7
- Author:
Nor Safura Mohd Noor
1
;
Nur Kamilah Mohd Fauzy
1
;
Sakinah Harith
1
;
Wan Rohani Wan Taib
1
;
Rosliza Yahaya
2
;
Almira Sitasari
3
;
Furaida Khasanah
4
Author Information
1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
2. Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampus Kota, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
3. Nutrition Department, Polteknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Yogyakarta, 55293 Gamping, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
4. Nursing Department, Polteknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Yogyakarta, 55293 Gamping, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Body mass index, COVID-19, Elderly, physical activity, Quality of life
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.6):42-50
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus spreading rapidly over the globe, and
the older population has had a larger impact as the fatality rate increases with age. This pandemic caused them to
reduce their physical activity (PA). COVID-19 also resulted in food supply disruption and led to unhealthy dietary
changes, which are usually associated with weight gain and affecting the body mass index (BMI). PA and BMI can
influence the quality of life (QoL) of the older people. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between PA, BMI, and QoL amongst the older people in Malaysia during COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study
was conducted amongst community-dwelling older people from all states in Malaysia. An online survey consisting of
self-reported anthropometry, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire- Malay version (GPAQ-M) and Short Form-36
Health (SF-36) Survey were collected. Statistical analysis chi-square test was used to identify the association between
BMI, PA, and QoL. Results: This study included data from 180 individuals with a median age of 64.0 ± 9.8 years. The
results showed that participants aged 60-69 years were significantly associated with better QoL, meanwhile, those
who practice low PA levels were significantly associated with poor QoL. Conclusion: The findings revealed that age
and PA were associated with QoL. Thus, the healthcare profession must emphasise regular PA to accomplish a better
QoL amongst older people in the future.
- Full text:11.2023my1661.pdf
