Factors influencing obesity among Malaysian young adults in Kuala Lumpur
List of Authors
  • Faiswal Kasirye , Math Kreya

Keyword
  • Obesity, young adults, social cognitive theory and theory of planed behaviour, Kuala Lumpur

Abstract
  • The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing obesity among Malaysian young adults in Kuala Lumpur. The study examined the relationship between awareness, attitude, behaviour, and perception towards factors affecting among Malaysian young adults. Social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behaviour were used to measure the findings of the study. Self-administered questionnaire was employed using non random sampling method. 263 participants took part in the in the study. The analysis of the data included inferential as well as descriptive analyses. Bivariate tests were performed on perception of obesity against independent variables which were awareness, attitude and behaviour. Results indicated, that out of the three variables tested, two positively correlated with perception and one was negatively correlated. This study highlighted, that awareness and attitudes are very important factors in curbing obesity among young adults in Kuala Lumpur. The prevalence of obesity in Malaysia has been fairly well established by numerous studies over the past decade but nothings seems to have been done. So the government should consider establishing mechanisms of controlling obesity especially among the youths, but this should be followed up with well-timed surveys to monitor the changing trends with the aim of improving services to Malaysian people at large.

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