Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 and its transmission, causes and prevention among people living in Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among people living in Malaysia by using an online survey in March and April 2020.

Results: Out of 520 respondents, the mean age was 36.9 ± 14.9, between 19 and 67 years with the majority being female. Most respondents had good knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 with mean ± sd 18.2 ± 1.7, 5.2 ± 1.1 and 4.1 ± 1.4, respectively. In addition, the majority had good knowledge regarding cause, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment and quarantine measures after answering 21 questions.

Subjects and methods: This short communication reviews articles and government announcements related to containment measures and the Movement Control Order of Malaysia, and graphically presents data pertinent to Covid-19 in Malaysia in order to show the relationship between fluctuations in Covid-19 cases and movement control.

Results: At the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, Malaysia had initiated travel restrictions and quarantine; but with a persistent increase in new Covid-19 cases, the Movement Control Order was finally rolled out on 18 March 2020, requiring closure of all businesses except those providing essential services and items. Enforcement of the order was tightened progressively, resulting in significant improvement of compliance, while other interventions such as tracking of potential contacts and medical screening were underway, and the media continued to provide updates and general advices. The numbers of new and active Covid-19 cases started showing evident downtrends from mid-April, thus indicating the effectiveness of movement control and its compliance.

METHODS: Working women aged 18-49 years were required to self-report their socio-demographics and pre-pandemic body weight (body weight during February 2020). Body height and current body weight were measured using a SECA stadiometer and TANITA weighing scale. Food security was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES); the diet quality was determined with the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) for Malaysia.

RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe food insecurity was 19.9%. It is noted that 64.3% of working women gained weight throughout the pandemic, with an average weight gain of 4.36 ± 3.19 kg. Concerning diet quality, the majority (82.5%) achieved the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Findings from linear regression revealed that food security was not significantly correlated with weight change. However, working women who failed to achieve the MDD-W gained, on average, 1.853 kg more than those who did (p = 0.040). On the other hand, no significant correlation was observed between food security status and diet quality in weight change of working women.

METHODS: A 3-stage Delphi study involving a group of 34 Europe-based subject specialists was used to articulate shared expert opinions on the main research question: What are the key principles (general theories, values, or framework) that should guide practice of inclusive approaches to physical activity? What are the key strategies (practical approaches that can promote inclusive physical activity) of inclusive approaches to physical activity?

RESULTS: Four core principles and four core strategies (and six less-supported principles/strategies for each) were identified through this process. The core principles were: focus on participants' needs; include disabled people in planning; focus on ability, not disability; and promote equal opportunities. The four core strategies were: adapt the rules and aims of the programme to the abilities of participants; apply adaptability of teaching/coaching methods; be accessible and available to participants; and establish models to make sure participants' voices are heard.