Lack of physical activity among Malaysian youth, report card finds

PUTRAJAYA- There is a crucial need to increase physical activity levels among Malaysian children and adolescents in the post-pandemic era.

Sun Life Malaysia revealed that the Malaysian youth attained a D minus (D-) grade for overall physical activity, based on the findings of the Malaysia 2022 Physical Activity Report Card for Children and Adolescents.

The insurance company partnered with the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the report card.

It was developed as part of AHKGA's Global Matrix initiative and represents an evidence-based synthesis of children's and adolescents' behavior towards physical activity in Malaysia.

The report card was officially unveiled by UKM Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, Sun Life Malaysia deputy chief executive officer Ho Teck Seng and Active Healthy Kids Malaysia Professor Dr Mohd Razif Shahril.

Dr Hanafiah said the findings further indicate that Malaysians don’t practice a healthy lifestyle.

While the government has introduced initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle such as the “1 Murid 1 Sukan”, the issue persists outside of school hours.

“There is also a lack of time for these children to do activities as sometimes the family is busy and they are left alone. It’s also safer when they stay at home. But with access to phones, they will end up playing online games instead.

“We need to take action right now and it should be by everyone such as universities, parents, leaders, and even the media to encourage physical activities so that the upcoming report card would be improved to at least from D- to grade C or grade B,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, Ho hopes that the findings will provide significant insights to policymakers, educators and all work together to build a healthier and more sustainable nation.

"We believe our roles extend beyond being an insurance and takaful company.

"We have the power to bring forward positive changes to promote the well-being of the communities we serve and we take that responsibility seriously," said Ho.

He added the research provides valuable insights into the current condition of our youth's physical activity and will also assist Sun Life in developing additional long-term and relevant programmes in Malaysia and across other Asian markets where Sun Life operates in.