Background: While adiposity has been found to be protective against adverse outcomes in older adults, the role of muscle in this association remains underexplored. This study sought to evaluate sex-specific mortality associated with available adiposity indices in older adults and the potential role of muscle strength in this relationship. Methods: Individuals aged ≥55 years were recruited from 2013 to 2015. Adiposity indices obtained were body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (%BF), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference (WC). Vital status up to June 2022 was determined through the National Registry Department. Results: Of the 1,347 included participants, mean age of 68.45±7.21 years, 57.1% female, and 11.2% deaths were recorded. Male who were underweight had increased mortality compared to male with normal BMI (hazard ratio [HR]=3.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–7.47). Mortality was greater in male with %BF within the highest quartile (Q4) compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) (HR=4.72, 95% CI 2.07–10.78). Increased mortality in both male and female in Q4 for WHR compared to Q1 was influenced by age, as was increased mortality in female in Q4 for %BF. WC did not predict mortality in male or female. Increased mortality risk was present in male with normal muscle strength and increased %BF, and reduced muscle strength in male with low BMI. Conclusions Adiposity measured with BMI, WHR and WC had limited value in determining mortality risk at 9-year follow-up among individuals aged ≥55 years. Increased mortality was, however, observed in male with higher %BF but this could not be attributed to muscle strength.

With the sudden change of environment and limited studies on the effects of COVID-19 lockdown among university students, this study therefore aims to examine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity level and mental health among university students in Malaysia. This is a cross-sectional study involving university students studying in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Demographics information, living status during COVID-19, physical activity level and mental health status were obtained through online questionnaire via Microsoft forms. Paired T-test was used to compare the effect of physical activity level and mental health status during COVID-19 lockdown. Data on falls was available for 383 participants with 254 (66.3 %) women and 129 (33.7%) men. Overall, the metabolic equivalent task (MET) of vigorous, moderate, mild, and total MET has decreased during COVID-19 lockdown as compared to before COVID-19 lockdown. Approximately an increment of 6% of participants reported having depression and anxiety during COVID-19 lockdown. In conclusion, significant impact on physical activity level and mental health was found in our study. Our study findings could therefore assist educational institutions and policymakers in forming strategies to improve student’s overall health, yet further longitudinal studies should be performed to examine the long-term effects of COVID-19 lockdown.

Introduction and Objectives Over the years, falls has beenincreasingly the most common public health issue worldwide that affects all age groups. However, the risk is nine times higher in older persons especially among thoseresiding in nursing homes. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and the risk of falls and theirassociated factors among elderly living in nursing homes inPenang, Malaysia.Methodology Data were obtained from a cross-sectionalsurvey in ten different nursing homes in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Participants were selected through convenience sampling were interviewed face-to-face using aquestionnaire. Information concerning demographiccharacteristics, fall risk and depression status werecollected.Results Of the 357-elderly aged 60 years and aboveinterviewed in the nursing homes, 32.8% (n=354) reportedhaving one or more falls in the past 12 months whereas13.3% were at moderate/high risk of fall. Depression(Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)=1.71, 95%CI: 1.00 to 2.91) andrespiratory illnesses (aOR=3.38, 95%CI: 1.11 to 10.30) wereshown to be associated with prevalence of falls. Depression(aOR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.06 to 4.23) and history of fall more than once in the past 12 months (aOR=3.90, 95%CI: 1.72 to 8.8) were found to be associated with moderate/high risk of falls.Conclusion This study showed that the prevalence of fallwas higher among depressed elderly and those withrespiratory illness. Elderly with higher history of falls were also at higher risk of falls. These findings suggest the importance of screening the elderly for the risk factors of falls as a preventive measure.