Sedentary Behaviour and Its Correlates Among Older Adults in Malaysia

Background: Sedentary behaviors (SBs), which are low-energy, wakeful activities performed in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture, are independently associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including mental health disorders, non-communicable diseases, and an increased risk of mortality. This study investigated associations between sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, mental health, nutritional status, social support, functional limitations, and SB among older persons in Malaysia. Methods: Data from 3977 individuals aged 60 years and above, extracted from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018, were analyzed using complex samples logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of sedentary behavior, defined as sitting or reclining for 8 or more hours per day, among the surveyed population was 23.2%. Older age (≥75 years) was significantly associated with higher odds of SB (AORs 1.58 to 2.76, p < 0.001 to p = 0.001). Unemployment (AOR = 1.32, p = 0.020) and indigenous Sabah and Sarawak ethnicity (AOR = 2.48, p = 0.007) were also linked to increased odds of SB. Conversely, individuals with a monthly income of MYR 1000-1999 had lower odds of SB compared to those earning ≥MYR 2000 (AOR = 0.64, p = 0.022), and those at risk of malnutrition were also less likely to engage in SB (AOR = 0.68, p = 0.031). No significant associations were found between SB and sex, marital status, educational level, or chronic illness. Conclusions: These findings suggest that public health initiatives to reduce SB among older adults should prioritize the oldest aged, unemployed, and specific ethnic communities, as well as addressing nutritional risk to promote healthier aging among older persons in Malaysia.