Factors associated with physical inactivity among female and male rural adolescents in Borneo – a cross-sectional study

Whye Lian Cheah; Hazmi Helmy; Ching Thon Chang

doi:10.1515/ijamh-2013-0319

Article

Factors associated with physical inactivity among female and male rural adolescents in Borneo – a cross-sectional study

Whye Lian Cheah , Hazmi Helmy and Ching Thon Chang

Published/Copyright: January 22, 2014

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From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Volume 26 Issue 3

Abstract

Rural communities have shown marked increase in metabolic syndrome among young people, with physical inactivity as one of the main contributing factors. This study aimed to determine factors associated with physical inactivity among male and female rural adolescents in a sample of schools in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 students aged 13–15 years. Data on socio-demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors (perceived barriers, self-efficacy, social influences) were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurement was taken to generate body mass index (BMI)-for-age, while physical activity (PA) level was assessed using pedometers. The mean steps per day was 6251.37 (SD=3085.31) with males reported as being more active. About 27% of the respondents were either overweight or obese, with more females in this group. There was no significant difference in steps among males and females (p=0.212), and nutritional status (BMI-for-age) (p=0.439). Females consistently scored higher in most items under perceived barriers, but had significantly lower scores in self-efficacy’s items. Males were more influenced by peers in terms of PA (p<0.001) and were more satisfied with their body parts (p=0.047). A significantly higher body size discrepancy score was found among females (p=0.034, CI –0.639, –0.026). PA level was low and almost one-third of the respondents were overweight and obese. Female students faced more barriers and had lower self-efficacy with regards PA. Based on the findings, it is recommended that interventions focus on reducing barriers while increasing support for PA. This is particularly important in improving the health status of the youth, especially among the females.

Keywords: perceived barriers; physical activity; self-efficacy

Corresponding author: Dr. Whye Lian Cheah, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Lot 77, Section 22 KTLD, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, Phone: +6082 226222, E-mail: wlcheah@fmhs.unimas.my

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Sarawak Heart Foundation. This study is registered at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak under Research Grant No. GL(F05)/10/2012/HF (10).

Conflict of interest statement: None.

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Received: 2013-8-23

Accepted: 2013-11-24

Published Online: 2014-1-22

Published in Print: 2014-8-1

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2013-0319

Keywords for this article

perceived barriers; physical activity; self-efficacy