Trends in Adult Obesity Across Southeast Asia: Implications for Public Health and Community-Based Physical Activity

Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie, Muhammad Dzikry Abdullah Al Ghazaly, Reshandi Nugraha, Rozita Abdul Latif, Wahidah Tumijan

Abstract


This study aims to describe the prevalence trends of adult obesity in 11 ASEAN countries from 1990 to 2022, examine their association with insufficient physical activity, and assess implications for community-based health promotion. Employing a quantitative descriptive-analytic approach, the research utilized secondary data sourced from the WHO Global Health Observatory (GHO), encompassing obesity prevalence (BMI ≥30) and insufficient physical activity prevalence among adults aged 18 years and above. Descriptive statistics, trend slope analysis, and Pearson correlation were applied to 11 countries across a 32-year observation period. The findings reveal notable disparities in obesity trends across the region. Countries such as Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Indonesia exhibited the steepest annual increases in obesity prevalence (slope 0.53-0.63 percentage points per year), while Vietnam, Laos, and Timor-Leste showed consistently low levels. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between obesity prevalence and insufficient physical activity across the region (r=0.72, p<0.01). Countries with higher rates of physical inactivity generally demonstrated higher obesity prevalence, particularly those undergoing rapid urbanization. This research contributes empirical insights vital for public health planning in Southeast Asia and underscores the need for tailored, community-based interventions that promote physical activity as a strategic preventive measure against the rising burden of obesity.

Keywords


obesity; physical activity; Southeast Asia; public health; WHO Global Health Observatory

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jpess.v6i1.99569

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