Prevalence of obesity and its associated risk factors among the elderly in Malaysia: Findings from The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015

Abstract

Background Obesity is a crucial public health problem and is rising globally. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors among the elderly in Malaysia. Methods Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015. This was a cross sectional population-based study using a two stage stratified random sampling design. Elderly population aged 60 years and above was selected. Data were collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaire in the form of sociodemographic profile, non-communicable diseases (NCD) comorbidities (status on hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) and NCD risk factors (current smoker and physical activity). Obesity has been defined using the World Health Organization (WHO) Body Mass Index (BMI) guideline, 1998. A complex sampling design analysis was used for the descriptive statistics. The associated risk factors for obesity were identified using Multiple Logistic Regression analysis. Results A total of 3794 respondents were included in this study. The prevalence of obesity among Malaysian elderly was 30.2%. The prevalence of obesity among the elderly was significantly higher in females, respondents from urban areas and Indians. Approximately one third of the elderly with non-communicable diseases such as hypertension (33.1%) and diabetes (38.8%), respectively, were obese. Among elderly who were obese, majority of them (89.8%) had at least one NCD. The prevalence of obesity was 16.8% among current smokers (aOR 0.59). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that elderly females (aOR [adjusted odds ratio] 1.52), having secondary education (aOR 1.96) with household income of RM 3000 and above (aOR 1.57) as well as being hypertensive (aOR 1.61) and diabetic (aOR 1.50) were more likely to be obese. In contrast, the Chinese elderly respondents (aOR 0.62) and current smokers (aOR 0.59) were less likely to be obese. There were no significant associations of obesity with hypercholesterolemia or with physical activity. Conclusions A substantial proportion of Malaysian elderly were obese, and factors associated with obesity among them were being female, having secondary education with a household income of RM 3000 and above and being hypertensive or diabetic. Enhanced health promotion and education should be targeted at younger people in order to prevent obesity in the later years.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors among staffs in a Malaysian public university

“…The BMI was calculated by dividing body weight by the squared of height (kg/m 2 ). BMI was later categorized based on the WHO BMI guideline (1998), which was also adopted in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 Malaysia (< 25 kg/m 2 as underweight to normal weight, 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m 2 as overweight and ≥ 30 kg/m 2 as obesity) 36 . To ease interpretations, the current study dichotomized the BMI category as < 30 kg/m 2 (non-obese) and ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (obese) 36 .…”

“…BMI was later categorized based on the WHO BMI guideline (1998), which was also adopted in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 Malaysia (< 25 kg/m 2 as underweight to normal weight, 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m 2 as overweight and ≥ 30 kg/m 2 as obesity) 36 . To ease interpretations, the current study dichotomized the BMI category as < 30 kg/m 2 (non-obese) and ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (obese) 36 . WC was measured with participants wearing light clothing at mid-point between the lower rib margin and iliac crest using a flexible measuring tape to the nearest 0.1 cm.…”

The Effects of a 7000-Step Goal and Weekly Group Walking Program for Overweight and Obese Elderly People in Sarawak, Malaysia: A Quasi-experimental Study

“…According to the Malaysia National Health Morbidity Survey from 2015, the majority (89.8%) of obese elderly people had at least one NCD, and the rate of physical activity (PA) among obese elderly people was about 32.6%, which was significantly lower than that of non-obese elderly people (67.4%) [ 6 ]. Statistically speaking, most elderly people who are obese or overweight have multiple comorbidities and are not as physically active as non-obese or overweight elderly people.…”

Significantly higher atherosclerosis risks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…The prevalence of obesity has gradually risen globally, with a doubling from 6.4% in 1980 to 12.0% in 2008 and currently poses significant public health problems [ 1 , 2 ]. The prevalence of obesity among Malaysians was estimated at 30.2% in 2015 [ 3 ], rising exponentially from what was reported by the Malaysian National Health Morbidity Survey in 1996, which then stood at 5.8% [ 4 ]. Obesity has been shown to be strongly associated with various non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, obstructive sleep apnea and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), to list a few.…”