Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 95 in total

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  1. Cheah YK, Poh BK
    PMID: 24955308 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrp.2013.12.002
    Objectives: In light of the importance of physical activity, the aim of the present study is to examine the factors affecting participation in physical activity among adults in Malaysia.
    Methods: A logistic regression model and the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey consisting of 30,992 respondents were used.
    Results: Age, income, gender, education, marital status, region, house locality, job characteristics, and medical conditions are significantly associated with participation in physical activity. In particular, old individuals, high income earners, females, the well-educated, widowed or divorced individuals, East Malaysians, urban dwellers, the unemployed, and individuals who are not diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia are less likely to be physically active than others.
    Conclusion: Because sociodemographic and health factors play an important role in determining physical activity, the government should take them into account when formulating policy.
    Keywords: Malaysia; demography; health; participation; physical activity.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)
  2. Tah PC, Nik Shanita S, Poh BK
    J Spec Pediatr Nurs, 2012 Oct;17(4):301-11.
    PMID: 23009042 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2012.00341.x
    This study aimed to compare the nutritional status of pediatric patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
  3. Florentino R, Tee ES, Poh BK
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1999 Dec;8(4):291-9.
    PMID: 24394232
    The 3-day seminar-workshop on 'Food-based Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Education' was held from 22-24 July 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to present the latest scientific information on nutrition and health and to discuss its impact on the rationale and process for the development of food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). The first two sessions were devoted to a review of the current information on the relation between lifestyle factors and chronic diseases, particularly obesity; the present health status and food consumption patterns in Malaysia; the current consensus on carbohydrates and fats and oils and the importance of considering the glycemic index of foods; and the importance of micronutrients in health and disease. The third and fourth sessions dealt with the rationale of FBDG and the process of their development, drawing from the 1990 FAO/WHO Consultation on Development of FBDG and the experience in the Philippines and in Europe. The importance of effective dissemination of nutrition messages to the public was thoroughhly discussed. The workshop sessions arrived at recommendations on important issues in the development of FBDG in the region, including main research and information needs, the steps in the development of FBDG, and strategies for their dissemination.
  4. Koo HC, Poh BK, Talib RA
    Nutrients, 2020 Sep 29;12(10).
    PMID: 33003299 DOI: 10.3390/nu12102972
    Diet composition is a key determinant of childhood obesity. While whole grains and micronutrients are known to decrease the risk of obesity, there are no interventions originating from Southeast Asia that emphasize whole grain as a strategy to improve overall quality of diet in combating childhood obesity. The GReat-Child Trial aimed to improve whole grain intake and quality of diet among overweight and obese children. It is a quasi-experimental intervention based on Social Cognitive Theory. It has a 12-week intervention and 6-month follow-up, consisting of three components that address environmental, personal, and behavioral factors. The intervention consists of: (1) six 30 min lessons on nutrition, using the Malaysian Food Pyramid to emphasize healthy eating, (2) daily deliveries of wholegrain foods to schools so that children can experience and accept wholegrain foods, and (3) diet counseling to parents to increase availability of wholegrain foods at home. Two primary schools with similar demographics in Kuala Lumpur were assigned as control (CG) and intervention (IG) groups. Inclusion criteria were: (1) children aged 9 to 11 years who were overweight/obese; (2) who did not consume whole grain foods; and (3) who had no serious co-morbidity problems. The entire trial was completed by 63 children (31 IG; 32 CG). Study outcomes were measured at baseline and at two time points post intervention (at the 3rd [T1] and 9th [T2] months). IG demonstrated significantly higher intakes of whole grain (mean difference = 9.94, 95%CI: 7.13, 12.75, p < 0.001), fiber (mean difference = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.40, 4.73, p = 0.001), calcium (mean difference = 130.27, 95%CI: 74.15, 186.39, p < 0.001), thiamin (mean difference = 58.71, 95%CI: 26.15, 91.28, p = 0.001), riboflavin (mean difference = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.37, 1.32, p = 0.001), niacin (mean difference = 0.35, 95%CI: 1.91, 5.16, p < 0.001), and vitamin C (mean difference = 58.71, 95%CI: 26.15, 91.28, p = 0.001) compared to CG in T1, after adjusting for covariates. However, T1 results were not sustained in T2 when intervention had been discontinued. The findings indicate that intervention emphasizing whole grains improved overall short-term but not long-term dietary intake among schoolchildren. We hope the present trial will lead to adoption of policies to increase whole grain consumption among Malaysian schoolchildren.
  5. Poh BK, Wong YP, Abdul Karim N
    Malays J Nutr, 2005;11(1):1-21-.
    MyJurnal
    Traditionally, Chinese women adhere to special dietary practices during the month following childbirth. This paper discusses the dietary practices and food taboos practised by Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 134 Chinese mothers of children below one year were recruited from three Maternal and Child Health Clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to obtain information on socioeconomic background, dietary practices, food taboos and cooking methods during the confinement period. Food intake was assessed by multiple 24-hour dietary recall among 34 mothers during their confinement month (zuo yuezi). Body weight and height were measured, and body mass index calculated. Majority of the respondents had secondary school education (77.6%), household income between RM1001 and RM3000 (64%), and were homemakers (48.5%). The women were aged 18-39 years, and 68% were of normal weight. Most women (82%) practised 30 days of confinement, during which they adhered to special dietary practices. The diet was directed at attaining yin-yang (cold-hot) balance, whereby “hot” foods were most commonly used and “cold” foods were avoided. Ginger, rice wine and sesame seed oil, considered “hot” foods, were used in large amounts in the cooking. Rice, chicken and pork were also consumed in large amounts. Most vegetables and fruits were considered “cold” and were prohibited during confinement. Most mothers drank specially-prepared teas boiled from Chinese herbs. Mean energy intake was 19% below RNI, while mean protein intake was 93% above RNI (NCCFN, 2005). Mean intakes of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin were above 75% of RNI, while vitamins A and C were at half of RNI or less. Mean iron and calcium intakes were at 222% and 67% of RNI, respectively. It is concluded that most Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur do conform to special dietary practices during zuo yuezi.

    Study site: three Maternal and Child Health Clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
  6. Quah YV, Poh BK, Ismail MN
    Malays J Nutr, 2010 Aug;16(2):207-17.
    PMID: 22691926 MyJurnal
    Metabolic syndrome was once reported only in adults but is now occurring more frequently in children. This study compared the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its components among normal and obese children using the 2007 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) pediatric definition for metabolic syndrome. Subjects comprised 78 school children aged 8-10 years, with 34 obese and 44 normal weight children. Body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured and body mass index was calculated. Clinical profiles measured included fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined using the 2007 IDF pediatric criteria. Obese subjects had a significantly (p< 0.001) higher mean BMI (26.0 ± 3.6 kg/m2) compared to normal weight subjects (15.1 ± 0.8 kg/m2). Only one obese subject (1.3% of subjects) had metabolic syndrome based on the IDF definition, but all obese subjects had at least one component of metabolic syndrome. In comparison, no normal weight subjects had metabolic syndrome and only 9.1% of normal weight subjects had at least one component of metabolic syndrome. The most common component was central obesity, observed in 43.6% of subjects having WC equal to or greater than the 90th percentile. In concurrence with central obesity as the core feature of the IDF criteria, WC showed the strongest correlation with indicators of obesity such as BMI (r=0.938, p< 0.001), fat mass (r=0.912, p< 0.001) and fat-free mass (r=0.863, p< 0.001). We conclude that the problem of metabolic syndrome is more prominent among obese children, although the incidence of MS as defined by the 2007 pediatric IDF criteria, is low in this population (1.3%).
  7. Koo HC, Poh BK, Ruzita AT
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):840.
    PMID: 27386289 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2431-y
    The rapid increase in childhood obesity is a serious public health problem, and has led to the development of many interventions. However, no intervention has emphasized whole grains as a strategy to manage childhood obesity. Therefore, this article describes the protocol of a 12-week multi-component, family-based intervention on whole grain, using a healthy balanced diet for managing childhood obesity.
  8. Koo HC, Poh BK, Ruzita AT
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Nov 27;19(1):1574.
    PMID: 31775696 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7888-5
    BACKGROUND: Studies have reported that improvement of dietary habits through increased whole grain foods consumption at an early age has the potential to lead to betterment in lifelong health and wellness. The GReat-Child Trial™ was a 12-week quasi-experimental study with 6 months follow-up investigating a multi-component whole grain intervention, which consisted of behavioral, personal and environmental factors based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the GReat-Child Trial™, as well as to determine the changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of whole grains consumption among overweight/obese children.

    METHODS: Two schools in Kuala Lumpur with similar socio-demographic characteristics were assigned as intervention (IG) and control (CG), respectively. Inclusion criteria were healthy Malaysian overweight/obese children aged 9 to 11 years who had no serious co-morbidity. Children who reported consuming whole grain foods in their 3-day diet-recall during recruitment were excluded. A total of 63 children (31 IG; 32 CG) completed the intervention. KAP questionnaire was self-administered at baseline [T0] and post intervention (at 3rd [T1] and 9th month [T2]). The baseline differences between the IG and CG across socio-demographics and scores of KAP toward whole grains were determined using chi-square and t-test, respectively. ANCOVA was performed to determine the effect of the GReat-Child Trial™ on KAP towards whole grains at post-intervention and follow-up. Baseline variables were considered as covariates.

    RESULTS: The IG attained significantly higher scores in knowledge (mean difference = 4.23; 95% CI: 3.82, 4.64; p 

  9. Poh BK, Ismail M, Zawiah H, Henry C
    Malays J Nutr, 1999 Dec;5(1):1-14.
    PMID: 22692353
    A longitudinal study was conducted to relate basal metabolic rate (BMR) with growth during adolescence. Subjects comprise 70 boys and 69 girls aged between ten and thirteen years at the time of recruitment. Parameters studied include anthropometric measurements and BMR, which was measured by indirect calorimetry using the Deltatrac metabolic monitor. Measurements were carried out serially once every six months, with a total of 713 BMR data points collected over three years. Mean BMR of boys aged 11, 12, 13 and 14 years were 4.96 ± 0.63 MJ/day, 5.28 ± 0.71 MJ/day, 5.73 ± 0.68 MJ/day and 5.92 ± 0.63 MJ/day, respectively; while mean BMR of girls in the 10, 11, 12 and 13 year age groups were 4.96 ± 0.63 MJ/day, 4.85 ± 0.63 MJ/day, 5.05 ± 0.55 MJ/day and 4.94 ± 0.51 MJ/day, respectively. Comparison of measured BMR with BMR values predicted from the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) equations shows that the predictive equations overestimated the BMR of Malaysian boys by 3% and that of girls by 5%. The Henry and Rees (1991) equations for populations in the tropics underestimated BMR of boys and girls by 1% and 2%, respectively. Linear regression equations to predict BMR based on body weight were derived according to sex and age groups. It is recommended that these predictive equations be used for the estimation of BMR of Malaysian adolescents.
  10. Koo HC, Poh BK, Abd Talib R
    Nutrients, 2018 Jan 30;10(2).
    PMID: 29385769 DOI: 10.3390/nu10020156
    Background: The GReat-Child Trial was a quasi-experimental intervention that has emphasized whole grain as a strategy to manage childhood obesity. Methods: Two schools in Kuala Lumpur with similar demographic characteristics were assigned as intervention (IG) and control (CG). Eligibility criteria were overweight/obese children aged 9 to 11 years who had no serious co-morbidity. Children who reported consuming wholegrain foods in their 3-day diet-recall during screening were excluded. A total of 63 children (31 IG; 32 CG) completed the entire intervention program. The IG children underwent six 30-min nutrition education lessons and had school delivery of wholegrain food on a daily basis over a 12-week period. Parents of IG children attended 1-h individual diet counseling. Anthropometric outcomes including BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ), body fat percentage and waist circumference were measured at baseline [T0], post-intervention [T1] (3rd month) and follow-up [T2] (9th month). Results: IG showed significantly lower BAZ (weighted difference: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.21, -0.03; p = 0.009), body fat percentage (weighted difference: -2.6%; 95% CI: -3.7, -1.5; p < 0.001) and waist circumference (weighted difference: -2.4 cm; 95% CI: -3.8, -1.0; p = 0.001) compared to CG. IG reported significantly lower body fat percentage (weighted difference: -3.4%; 95% CI: 1.8, 5.0; p < 0.001) and waist circumference (weighted difference: -2.1 cm; 95% CI: -3.7, -0.5; p = 0.014) at T1 compared to T0. Conclusions: The GReat-Child Trial made a positive impact in managing childhood obesity. It can be incorporated into childhood obesity intervention programs that are being implemented by the policy makers.
  11. Razalee S, Poh BK, Ismail MN
    Singapore Med J, 2010 Aug;51(8):635-40.
    PMID: 20848060
    INTRODUCTION: The basal metabolic rate (BMR) is essential in deriving estimates of energy requirements for a population. The aim of this study was to measure the BMR in order to derive a predictive equation for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) naval trainees.
    METHODS: A total of 79 naval trainees aged 18 to 25 years from a training centre (Group A) and on board a ship (Group B) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. Body fat and free fat mass were measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method. BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry with a canopy system.
    RESULTS: The mean height, weight and body fat for Group A was 1.67 +/- 0.04 m, 61.0 +/- 3.9 kg and 12.7 percent +/- 2.5 percent, respectively, and 1.67 +/- 0.05 m, 62.3 +/- 6.2 kg and 14.0 percent +/- 3.5 percent, respectively, for Group B. The mean BMR for Group A (6.28 +/- 0.40 MJ/ day) did not differ significantly (p is more than 0.05) from that of Group B (6.16 +/- 0.67 MJ / day). The Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University and the Henry and Rees equations overestimated the measured BMR by 9 percent (p is less than 0.001) and 0.5 percent (p is more than 0.05), respectively, while the Ismail et al equation underestimated the measured BMR by 5.6 percent (p is less than 0.001). A predictive equation, BMR = 3.316 + 0.047 (weight in kg) expressed in MJ /day with weight as the only independent variable, was derived using regression analysis.
    CONCLUSION: We recommend that this predictive equation be used to estimate the energy requirements of MAF naval trainees.
  12. Wu SK, Wong JE, Poh BK
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Dec;30(6):108-119.
    PMID: 38239253 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.6.11
    BACKGROUND: Understanding of psychosocial factors of physical activity (PA) in children is crucial in encouraging sustained PA, which in turn is associated with important health outcomes. This study aimed to examine how children's attraction to physical activity (CAPA) is associated with PA.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 219 primary school children (105 boys; 114 girls) aged 7 years old-10 years old in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016-2017. Children from three main ethnicities, namely Malay, Chinese and Indian, were recruited. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured; body composition was assessed by deuterium dilution technique. CAPA and level of PA were obtained through self-administered questionnaires and reported as CAPA and PA scores.

    RESULTS: Median CAPA and PA scores were 3.40 (Q1 = 3.00, Q3 = 3.80) and 2.31 (Q1 = 1.95, Q3 = 2.74), respectively. Significant gender differences were found in CAPA and PA scores, with boys being more attracted to PA (3.16 [Q1 = 2.90, Q3 = 3.44]; P = 0.001) and more physically active compared with girls (2.47 [Q1 = 2.07, Q3 = 3.07]; P = 0.001). CAPA and PA scores correlated positively in both sexes. Boys scored higher than girls in 'liking of games and sports' (ρ = 0.301, P = 0.002) and 'liking of vigorous PA' (ρ = 0.227, P = 0.02) CAPA subscales, which also correlated positively with PA scores. Girls' PA scores correlated with 'peer acceptance in games and sports' (ρ = 0.329, P < 0.001).

    CONCLUSION: Boys are more physically active and have higher attraction to PA compared with girls. Differences in PA scores between the sexes were related to gender differences in CAPA scores. Thus, attention should be given to gender differences in CAPA related psychosocial factors when planning interventions to promote PA among children.

  13. Parvaneh K, Poh BK, Hajifaraji M, Ismail MN
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2014;23(1):84-90.
    PMID: 24561976 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.2014.23.1.02
    Sleep deficiency is becoming widespread in both adults and adolescents and is accompanied by certain behaviors that can lead to obesity. This study aims to investigate differences in sleep duration of overweight/obese and normal weight groups, and the association between sleep deprivation and obesity, dietary intake and physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 Iranian working adults (109 men and 117 women) aged 20 to 55 years old who live in Tehran. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, and BMI was calculated. Questionnaires, including the Sleep Habit Heart Questionnaire (SHHQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and 24-hour dietary recall, were interview-administered. Subjects were categorized as normal weight (36.3%) or overweight/obese (63.7%) based on WHO standards (2000). Overweight/ obese subjects slept significantly (p<0.001) later (00:32±00:62 AM) and had shorter sleep duration (5.37±1.1 hours) than normal weight subjects (23:30±00:47 PM and 6.54±1.06 hours, respectively). Sleep duration showed significant (p<0.05) direct correlations to energy (r = 0.174), carbohydrate (r = 0.154) and fat intake (r = 0.141). This study revealed that each hour later in bedtime (going to bed later) increased the odds of being overweight or obese by 2.59-fold (95% CI: 1.61-4.16). The findings in this study confirm that people with shorter sleep duration are more likely to be overweight or obese; hence, strategies for the management of obesity should incorporate a consideration of sleep patterns.
  14. Chong PN, Teh CP, Poh BK, Noor MI
    Curr Obes Rep, 2014 Mar;3(1):16-37.
    PMID: 26626465 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-013-0088-1
    Obesity is a worldwide pandemic, and the prevalence rate has doubled since the 1980s. Asian countries are also experiencing the global epidemic of obesity with its related health consequences. The prevalence of overweight and obesity are increasing at an alarming rate across all age groups in Asia. These increases are mainly attributed to rapid economic growth, which leads to socio-economic, nutrition and lifestyle transitions, resulting in a positive energy balance. In addition, fat mass and obesity-associated gene variants, copy number variants in chromosomes and epigenetic modifications have shown positive associations with the risk of obesity among Asians. In this review highlights of prevalence and related ecological and genetic factors that could influence the rapid rise in obesity among Asian populations are discussed.
  15. Firouzi S, Poh BK, Ismail MN, Sadeghilar A
    Obes Res Clin Pract, 2014 Jan-Feb;8(1):e70-8.
    PMID: 24548579 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2012.12.001
    This study aimed to determine the association between sleep habits (including bedtime, wake up time, sleep duration, and sleep disorder score) and physical characteristics, physical activity level, and food pattern in overweight and obese versus normal weight children.
  16. Lau XC, Chong KH, Poh BK, Ismail MN
    Adv. Food Nutr. Res., 2013;70:49-101.
    PMID: 23722094 DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-416555-7.00002-3
    The tropics cover a large section of the world in which both developed and developing countries are situated. Rapid socioeconomic development, modernization, urbanization, and globalization have affected both the food market and physical activity (PA), which in turn have propelled the obesity epidemic in the tropics. There is growing concern that overweight and obesity are emerging as major health problems among children and adolescents in the tropics, despite the fact that undernutrition still exists in many of these countries. Physical inactivity, a low metabolic rate, and lack of physical fitness (PF) have been linked to overweight and obesity. Moreover, PF in several tropical countries is declining, and these changes may be a threat to future health, as low PA and PF levels are important risk factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases. Previous studies have reported that the relationships among PA, PF, overweight, and obesity are inconsistent and inconclusive. There is no indication that variances in the energy cost of physical activities lead to obesity. Despite a lack of definite evidence to prove a causal relationship, there is enough certainty that physical inactivity and low fitness levels are linked to overweight and obesity. Hence, people living in tropical countries need to be encouraged to lead a healthier lifestyle by increasing their PA levels and reducing sedentary behaviors to prevent overweight or obesity.
  17. Nor Aini J, Poh BK, Chee WS
    Pediatr Int, 2013 Apr;55(2):223-8.
    PMID: 23253297 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12035
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the ability of a children's physical activity questionnaire (cPAQ) to assess physical activity levels and bone health status of school children.
    METHODS: Subjects consisted of 90 pre-pubertal and early pubertal children aged 9-10 years. Components of physical activity were assessed using metabolic intensity (METPA) scores and mechanical bone strain (MECHPA) scores. An Actical accelerometer was used to validate METPA scores among a sub-sample of 57 children. Reliability was assessed by test-retesting all children after a 7 day interval. Whole body bone mineral content (BMC) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
    RESULTS: The reliability of cPAQ for assessment of various categories of physical activity was moderate to high (r ranged from 0.55 to 0.68, P < 0.001). Agreement was fair for repeated use of the cPAQ (Cohen's kappa = 0.32, P < 0.001). Bland-Altman plots show cPAQ had fair agreement only for moderate activity (mean difference 35.4 min/week; 95% limits of agreement -434.0 to +504.9 min/week). Approximately 69.6% of children were correctly classified (into the same or adjacent quartiles) according to the quartiles of BMC for METPA score, and 58.7% were correctly classified according to MECHPA score. Only 10.9% and 12.0% of children were grossly misclassified as compared to METPA and MECHPA scores, respectively.
    CONCLUSIONS: The cPAQ has reasonable validity in assessing moderate physical activity, and it demonstrates good ability to accurately classify children according to BMC. It fails, however, to assess other activity levels, suggesting that objective measurement is still a better method of assessment of physical activity among primary school children.
  18. Noor MI, Poh BK, Zawiah H, Henry CJ
    Forum Nutr, 2003;56:250-3.
    PMID: 15806886
    The energy and nutritional requirements of adolescents are influenced primarily by the growth spurt that occurs at puberty, and also by the need to maintain adequate levels of physical activity. Predictions of BMR have gained attention since the publication of the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) expert consultation report, which adopted the principle of relying on energy expenditure rather than energy intake to derive requirement of individuals. While the report predicts BMR accurately in many individuals from temperate climate, they are said to be less accurate in predicting BMR in populations living in the tropics. The collation of worldwide data on basal metabolism indicated that, relative to adults, there was a paucity of data in other age groups including the adolescents. Although several BMR studies among children had been reported in the 90's, the data in normal weight children are almost exclusively from small control groups in obesity studies. Furthermore, we know little as to whether BMR of children differs in differing climatic conditions. This paper presents predictive equations for estimating BMR from a two-centre study, Bangi (Malaysia) and Oxford (UK) and to compare the results with the currently used predictive equations.
  19. Wong JE, Parikh P, Poh BK, Deurenberg P, SEANUTS Malaysia Study Group
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2016 Jul;28(5 Suppl):35S-46S.
    PMID: 27257293 DOI: 10.1177/1010539516650726
    This study describes the physical activity of primary school children according to sociodemographic characteristics and activity domains. Using the Malaysian South East Asian Nutrition Surveys data, 1702 children aged 7 to 12 years were included in the analysis. Physical activity was reported as a total score and categorized into low, medium, and high levels based on Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Higher overall activity scores were found in boys, younger age, non-Chinese ethnicity, and normal body mass index category. Sex, age, and ethnicity differences were found in structured or organized, physical education, and outside-of-school domain scores. Transport-related scores differed by age group, ethnicity, household income, and residential areas but not among the three physical activity levels. Participation of girls, Chinese, and older children were low in overall and almost all activity domains. Sociodemographic characteristics are important factors to consider in increasing the different domains of physical activity among Malaysian children.
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