Y K Cheah1, M Azahadi2, S N Phang3, N Hazilah4. 1. School of Economics, Finance and Banking, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, 06010 Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. Electronic address: cheahykang@gmail.com. 2. Centre for Burden of Disease Research, Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Bangsar, 50590 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: drazahadi@moh.gov.my. 3. School of Government, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, UUM Sintok, 06010 Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. Electronic address: siewnooi@uum.edu.my. 4. Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: hazilah@iium.edu.my.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The rapid rise in the prevalence of physical inactivity-related diseases has become a serious public health issue worldwide. The objective of the present study is to examine the factors affecting participation in physical activity among urban dwellers in Malaysia. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study measures physical activity using a rigorous regression model. METHODS: Data are obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011 (NHMS 2011). A lognormal hurdle model is used to analyse the participation decision and the amount decision of physical activity. RESULTS: The results show that income, gender, ethnicity, marital status and employment status are significantly associated with participation decision and amount decision. However, age, insurance and self-rated health only affect participation decision, whereas family size, education and smoking only affect amount decision. CONCLUSIONS: It can, thus, be concluded that sociodemographic, insurance, lifestyle and health factors play an important role in determining physical activity behaviour among urban dwellers. When formulating policies, special attention must be paid to these factors.
OBJECTIVES: The rapid rise in the prevalence of physical inactivity-related diseases has become a serious public health issue worldwide. The objective of the present study is to examine the factors affecting participation in physical activity among urban dwellers in Malaysia. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study measures physical activity using a rigorous regression model. METHODS: Data are obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011 (NHMS 2011). A lognormal hurdle model is used to analyse the participation decision and the amount decision of physical activity. RESULTS: The results show that income, gender, ethnicity, marital status and employment status are significantly associated with participation decision and amount decision. However, age, insurance and self-rated health only affect participation decision, whereas family size, education and smoking only affect amount decision. CONCLUSIONS: It can, thus, be concluded that sociodemographic, insurance, lifestyle and health factors play an important role in determining physical activity behaviour among urban dwellers. When formulating policies, special attention must be paid to these factors.