Physical Activity Promotion in Malaysia: Challenges and Opportunities

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

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.536239

Physical Activity Promotion in Malaysia: Challenges and Opportunities

Front Public Health. 2020 Oct 27:8:536239. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.536239. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Selina Khoo¹, Bee Koon Poh², Saiful Adli Suhaimi¹, Kar Hau Chong³, Andrea Ramirez Varela⁴

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
² Centre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
³ Early Start, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
⁴ College of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia.

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.

Keywords: epidemiology; physical activity; policy; research; surveillance.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Exercise*
Health Promotion*
Malaysia