Physical Activity Promotion in Malaysia: Challenges and Opportunities.

Selina Khoo,Andrea Ramirez Varela,Saiful Adli Suhaimi,Kar Hau Chong,Bee Koon Poh

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.536239

Abstract

About three quarters of the Malaysian adult population are physically active. There has been growth in physical activity and health research since 2010, with most studies being observational in design and few included objective measures of physical activity. The Malaysian Ministry of Health has published physical activity guidelines, strategies and action plans aimed at promoting physical activity. Physical activity promotion activities have included national campaigns and programmes which target different populations. Further work that incorporates the WHO Global Action Plans on Physical Activity (GAPPA), as well as a more systemic approach is needed, to promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. High-level multi-stakeholder collaboration is required for continuing expansion and strengthening of research capacity, and for bridging the physical activity policy gaps in Malaysia.

Highlights

According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health concern, and accounted for 68% of global deaths in 2012 [1]
This article aims to describe country-level capacity for physical activity promotion in Malaysia in the context of the current state of physical activity surveillance, policy, and research; and to discuss future steps corresponding to the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Physical activity surveillance is incorporated in National Health and Morbidity Surveys at intervals of ∼5 years, there is need for improvement in the methodology employed

Summary

INTRODUCTION

According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health concern, and accounted for 68% of global deaths in 2012 [1]. NCDs are a major cause of death in Malaysia, an upper-middle income country in Southeast Asia having an estimated population of 32.6 million [2]. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality and is estimated to cause 6% of deaths worldwide [21], with 5.3 million people dying. A conceptual model [26] of country-level capacity for physical activity promotion was created which included information on periodic surveillance, physical activity policy implementation, and research productivity as its three main pillars. This article aims to describe country-level capacity for physical activity promotion in Malaysia in the context of the current state of physical activity surveillance, policy, and research; and to discuss future steps corresponding to the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. MALAYSIA’S CAPACITY FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROMOTION: DESCRIPTION OF MAIN PILLARS AND IMPLICATIONS

Physical Activity Surveillance

Physical Activity Plans and Policies

Physical Activity Research in Malaysia

ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Findings

CONCLUSION