Recommended physical activity and intensity levels to reduce excess of body fat amongst Malay female university students in Malaysia

Abstract

This study aims to determine the type of physical activity that best predicts risk of adiposity
amongst Malay female university students residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 316
female youth aged 18 to 25 years old were recruited for this study. Their physical activities were assessed using Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH). Body fat percentage was measured via InBody 270 Body Impedance analyzer machine. Bivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between physical activities and body fat percentage. Result from this study highlighted that total time per week of commuting (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.18-7.31, p < 0.05) and the activity score of leisure time activities (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.37-5.34, p < 0.05) are able to predict the risk of adiposityamongst Malay female youth.

Keywords: youth; physical activity; adiposity; fat percentage; SQUASH.