Comparison between Physical Activity Level among Obesity and Healthy Malaysian Adults

Low, Shwu Sin (2025) Comparison between Physical Activity Level among Obesity and Healthy Malaysian Adults. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that is characterized by an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue due to a sustained energy imbalance. This imbalance is often due to a combination of overnutrition and low levels of physical activity (PA), where energy intake consistently exceeds energy expenditure, leading to fat accumulation. Over time, this caloric surplus increases the risk of developing related health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Regular PA is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing obesity, as it increases energy expenditure and promotes fat utilization. This study aimed to investigate the differences in PA levels and body composition between obese and healthy Malaysian adults. A case-control study with purposive sampling was conducted involving 70 subjects (35 obese, 35 normal weight), with a median age of 21 years old (IQR 3). PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Long Form (IPAQ-LF), while body composition was measured using the InBody 270 and a 3-day dietary recall. In this study, approximately 73.8% of subjects engaged in moderate PA (total PA ≥600 to <3000 MET-mins/week) or high PA (total PA ≥3000 MET-mins/week), while 26.2% exhibited low PA (total PA <600 MET-mins/week). In this study, no significant differences were found between PA levels and both BMI (P = 0.066, R = -0.196) and body fat percentage (BF%) (P = 0.083, R = -0.263). However, a significant inverse relationship was observed between PA levels and both visceral fat (P = 0.020, R = -0.332) and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.004, R = -0.287). In conclusion, PA may not directly influence overall body weight or body fat percentage, it could help reduce abdominal fat. Future studies should increase the sample size and incorporate subjects from various universities across Malaysia to enhance statistical power and better represent the Malaysian population.