Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diseases due to unhealthy lifestyles such as heart diseases and diabetes are increasing in Malaysia. Heart diseases are the leading cause of deaths of patients in government hospitals, i.e. 16.1% of total deaths in 2009. A customised exercise regime called Exercise for Medicine (EXFOME) was introduced to improve and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension.
 
 MATERIAL & METHODS: A total of 126 participants from government health clinics in three states of Peninsular Malaysia were selected to participate in the EXFOME. Each participant was evaluated prior to the program using an assessment protocol. Fitness assessment and evaluation with body composition measurement were taken. Exercise therapist prescribed a personalized exercise program according to conditions.
 
 RESULTS: Effect of exercise was measured in terms of improvement in hypertension and diabetes, body weight, body fat, lipid profile and physical fitness at three and six months. 
 
 CONCLUSION: EXFOME is beneficial to improve the status of hypertension, diabetes, body weight and lipid profile when it is carried out for longer period.
Highlights
Effect of exercise was measured in terms of improvement in hypertension and diabetes, body weight, body fat, lipid profile and physical fitness at three and six months
Exercise for Medicine (EXFOME) is beneficial to improve the status of hypertension, diabetes, body weight and lipid profile when it is carried out for longer period
The rates of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Malaysia are at an alarming stage, based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) since 1996 to 2015, the percentage of adults suffering from Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors keep risen substantially will further add to the burden of diseases of NCDs in Malaysia (Ministry of Health, 2016)
Summary
Epidemiological studies indicate that a substantial part of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemic is attributable to changes in lifestyle, depicted by abatement in physical activity and additional consumption of unhealthy foods (Lopez, Mathers, Ezzati, Jamison, & Murray, 2006; Bhatnagar, 2017). These diseases are driven by forces that include rapid unplanned urbanisation, globalization of unhealthy lifestyles and population ageing (World Health Organization, 2018)
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