Physical activities and its implication on the body mass index (BMI) of the UiTM staffs / Raja Shahzuryani Raja Shah Riman

The purpose of this study is to assess the physical activity and its implication on the body mass index of the UiTM staffs. A total of fifty (n = 50) UiTM staffs age between 20 to 40 and above were randomly selected from various level. The weight and height were measured and their body mass index (BMI) determined. In this study, obesity was defined as individuals having > 25 kg/m2 . A questionnaire was prepared to obtained information on socioeconomic status, physical activity level and perception of body weight status. The study revealed a high prevalence of obesity (70%) as compared to only 24% of the ideal weight and 6% underweight among UiTM staffs. The majority of obese subjects reporting being inactive during leisure time. As a conclusion, physical activity plays more of a role in attenuating age-related weight gain. Moreover, increased amounts of physical activity may be necessary to effectively maintain constant body weight with increasing age.