Physical activity, health-related quality of life and depression during pregnancy

This study examines physical activity patterns among women, from pre-pregnancy to the second trimester of pregnancy, and the relationship between physical activity status based on physical activity guidelines and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression over pregnancy. 56 healthy pregnant women self-reported physical activity, HRQoL and depression at 10-15 and 19-24 weeks of pregnancy and physical activity before pregnancy. Whereas vigorous leisure physical activity decreased after conception, moderate leisure physical activity and work related physical activity remained stable over time. The prevalence of recommended physical activity was 39.3% and 12.5% in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy respectively, and 14.3% pre-pregnancy. From the 1st to the 2nd pregnancy trimester, most physical HRQoL dimensions scores decreased and only mental component increased, independently of physical activity status. No changes in mean depression scores were observed. These data suggest that physical activity patterns change with pregnancy and that physical and mental components are differentially affected by pregnancy course, independently of physical activity status.     

中国慢性病前瞻性研究: 10 个项目地区成人体力活动和休闲静坐时间特征差异的分析

目的 描述中国慢性病前瞻性研究(CKB)10个项目点健康人群体力活动和静坐行为特征的地区差异。方法 剔除自报患有冠心病、卒中和肿瘤等慢性疾病的个体后, 研究分析10个项目地区中486 514名30~79岁队列成员体力活动和每周休闲静坐时间的基线信息, 重点描述地区差异。结果 男性总体力活动水平(22.9 MET-h/d)高于女性(20.6 MET-h/d), 休闲静坐时间(3.1 h/d)多于女性(2.9 h/d)。浙江项目点个体每天总体力活动水平最高(男31.3 MET-h/d, 女 30.2 MET-h/d)且静坐时间最少(男2.0 h/d, 女 1.6 h/d)。工作相关活动所占比例, 男性以浙江(86.5%)和河南(85.2%)项目点最高, 海口(69.4%)最低;女性以浙江(74.8%)最高, 河南(40.9%)最低。甘肃项目点(男17.8%, 女18.1%)交通活动所占比例明显高于其他地区。家务活动所占比例, 男性以湖南项目点(18.0%)最高, 女性以河南(54.0%)和湖南(39.1%)最高。城市项目点的休闲相关活动所占比例高于农村, 其中柳州(男9.5%, 女10.4%)最高。甘肃(男36.8%, 女29.8%)、四川(男34.1%, 女33.8%)和浙江(男20.0%, 女19.2%)3个农村项目点的高强度活动所占比例明显高于其他项目点。结论 CKB 10个项目地区的研究人群在总体力活动水平、活动类型、活动强度和休闲静坐时间等特征上存在明显的地区差异。     

The Impact of Pregnancy on Physical Activity Level

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare women’s levels of physical activity during early pregnancy and during the year before pregnancy, and to identify characteristics associated with discontinuing sports and exercise among women previously active during the year before pregnancy. Methods Data collected from 1,737 women enrolled in a prospective cohort study and who had no contraindications for exercise were included in this analysis. Measures of physical activity (including household and care-giving activities, active living and sports and exercise activities) during early pregnancy were compared to the year before pregnancy. Log binomial regression was used to identify factors associated with discontinuing sports and exercise during pregnancy. Results There was a statistically significant decrease in all summary measures of physical activity during early pregnancy. The largest decreases were observed in sports and exercise activity. Among women active before pregnancy, age <35 years, multiparity, less than university education, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² and lower levels of pre-pregnancy exercise were associated with discontinuing sports and exercise activities during pregnancy. Conclusion Most women reduced their physical activity level during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy compared with their level of activity during the year prior to pregnancy, particularly for sports and exercise, although a small proportion of women in this study actually increased their activity in this area during early pregnancy. Participation in sports and exercise activity during pregnancy is potentially modifiable and could favorably impact perinatal health and maternal post-partum weight. The results of this study suggests that pregnancy is an event that leads to a decrease in physical activity.     

Changes in Leisure Time Physical Activity During Pregnancy Compared to the Prior Year

To quantify changes in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) type, frequency, duration and intensity during the first half of pregnancy as compared with the year prior to pregnancy. A cross sectional study was conducted at the Maternal University Hospital in Granada, Spain. A total of 1,175 healthy pregnant women attending a scheduled visit during the 20–22nd gestational week were enrolled in the study. Information about socio-demographic, obstetric and life-style variables during the previous year and the first half of pregnancy were collected. LTPA was quantified by assigning metabolic equivalents to each activity according to frequency, intensity and duration. The prevalence of women who met the optimal physical activity recommendations before and during pregnancy was calculated, and the McNemar-Bowker symmetry test was used to assess changes in type, frequency, intensity and duration of activities between the two periods. Some sort of LTPA was performed before and during pregnancy by 68.6 % of the pregnant women. Respectively, just 27.5 % and 19.4 % of women fulfilled LTPA recommendations prior to pregnancy and during pregnancy; 12.6 % of the women meeting recommendations prior to pregnancy later did not meet those recommendations during gestation, and 4.5 % showed the reverse trend. A light increase in walking as a LTPA, and a decrease in the rest of the LTPA type activities, were seen during pregnancy. Some 13.4 % of women changed from moderate—the year before- to light LTPA- during pregnancy. Pregnancy involved a decrease in LTPA, not only regarding frequency, but also duration and intensity.     

Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Leisure-Time Physical Activity During Pregnancy in Previously Inactive and Active Women

This study compared perceived benefits and barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy among women who were insufficiently active or inactive before pregnancy. Eighty-two pregnant women completed questionnaires assessing leisure-time physical activity benefits/barriers, exercise self-efficacy, social support, depressed mood, pre-pregnancy and current physical activity and fatigue. Multivariable regression analyses identified factors associated with exercise benefits/barriers for the two pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity groups. Both pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity groups reported more benefits than barriers to exercise during pregnancy. Previously inactive women reported fewer perceived benefits and greater perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy. Higher self-efficacy for exercise during pregnancy was significantly associated with greater benefits of leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy for both groups. Less family support for exercise and lower self-efficacy for exercise were significantly related to greater leisure-time physical activity barriers during pregnancy for previously inactive women. Lower self-efficacy for exercise, higher depressed mood scores, and younger age were associated with greater leisure-time physical activity barriers for active women. Findings suggest that the intensities of perceived leisure-time physical activity benefits and barriers during pregnancy differ for women, depending on their pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity status. Consideration of pre-pregnancy leisure-time physical activity status may thus be important when tailoring strategies to overcome barriers to promote initiation and maintenance of physical activity during pregnancy.     

孕中期妇女体力活动与血糖代谢的关联性

目的探究孕中期体力活动与血糖水平及妊娠期糖尿病(gestational diabetes mellitus,GDM)的关联。方法采用横断面调查的方法,于2017-2018年在广州市纳入孕周在20~28周的孕妇1083人。采用面对面调查收集一般人口学和生活方式等资料,采用国际体力活动问卷调查过去一周的体力活动,通过口服葡萄糖耐量试验(oral glucose tolerance test,OGTT)测量孕妇血糖和诊断GDM。运用多重线性回归和Logistic回归分析模型分别探讨不同类型体力活动和静坐行为与血糖及GDM的关联。结果36.57%的孕妇体力活动达到推荐值(中高体力活动≥150 min/week)。多重线性回归结果表明,孕中期妇女总体力活动强度与OGTT-2 h血糖水平呈负相关关系(β=-0.10,P=0.017);运动锻炼和休闲体力活动强度与OGTT-1 h血糖呈负相关(β=-0.11,P=0.042),未发现其他类型体力活动或静坐时间与血糖之间的关联。Logistic回归分析模型分析未发现各类型体力活动或静坐时间与GDM风险之间的关联。结论孕中期妇女体力活动水平较低,近2/3妇女未达到推荐值。孕中期妇女总体力活动、运动锻炼和休闲体力活动有助于降低餐后血糖。     

Physical inactivity in the Baltic countries

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a known risk factor for heart disease and obesity, two major health problems in the Baltic Republics. This study examined patterns of physical activity level in these countries, and correlates of leisure-time sedentary behavior. METHODS: Data from three national surveys of adults conducted in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1997 were used. Respondents who provided information on their activity level were included in this study (Estonia: n = 2,018; Latvia: n = 2,303; Lithuania: n = 2,140). RESULTS: One in three Estonians and one in five Latvians and Lithuanians had a low physical activity level at work. Half the respondents (Lithuania: 60%, Latvia: 52%, Estonia: 43%) participated only in sedentary activities during their leisure time. Leisure-time sedentarity was inversely related to education level in men and women and with income in men. It was also associated with smoking in men and with inadequate vegetable intake in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behavior during leisure time should be a public health issue in the Baltic Republics. Health promotion strategies aiming at increasing leisure-time physical activity level will need to target the general population, but particularly individuals from lower socioeconomic strata.     

Leisure-time physical activity among pregnant women in the US

Few population-based data exist that describe leisure-time physical activity among pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to characterise the prevalence of leisure activity and to examine characteristics associated with participation in leisure activity during pregnancy. Using data collected from the year 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, information on leisure activity was collected during telephone interviews from 1979 pregnant women and 44,657 non-pregnant women 18-44 years of age, representative of the US population. The prevalence of any leisure activity in the past month was 65.6%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 62.0, 69.1, among pregnant women and 73.1% [95% CI 72.4, 73.9] among non-pregnant women. The prevalence of recommended activity was also lower among pregnant women than non-pregnant women (15.8% vs. 26.1%). The most common leisure activity for pregnant women was walking, followed by activities such as swimming laps, weight lifting, gardening, and aerobics. Among pregnant women, any leisure activity was significantly higher for those with higher education, younger age, and excellent or very good health than for those with fair or poor health. Pregnant women reported less leisure activity than non-pregnant women of the same age. Studies to understand the enablers and barriers to participating in leisure activity during pregnancy are needed.     

Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life During Pregnancy: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster-Randomised Trial

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of physical activity before and during pregnancy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Data from the cluster-randomised gestational diabetes mellitus primary prevention trial conducted in maternity clinics were utilised in a secondary analysis. The cases considered were pregnant women who reported engaging in at least 150 min of moderate-intensity leisure-time physical activity per week (active women) (N = 80), and the controls were women below these recommendations (less active) (N = 258). All participants had at least one risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus. Their HRQoL was evaluated via the validated generic instrument 15D, with HRQoL at the end of pregnancy examined in relation to changes in physical activity during pregnancy. Logistic regression models addressed age, parity, education, and pre-pregnancy body mass index. At the end of pregnancy, the expected HRQoL was higher (tobit regression coefficient 0.022, 95 % CI 0.003–0.042) among active women than less active women. Active women also had greater mobility (OR 1.98, 95 % CI 1.04–3.78), ability to handle their usual activities (OR 2.22, 95 % CI 1.29–3.81), and vitality (OR 2.08, 95 % CI 1.22–3.54) than did less active women. Active women reported higher-quality sleep (OR 2.11, 95 % CI 1.03–4.30) throughout pregnancy as compared to less active women. Meeting of the physical activity guidelines before pregnancy was associated with better overall HRQoL and components thereof related to physical activity.     

198例孕前体检和孕产妇分泌物真菌感染病原菌分布和耐药性分析的临床观察

目的观察分析198例孕前体检和孕产妇分泌物真菌感染病原菌分布和耐药性的情况。方法回顾分析2016年1月-2018年1月的198例在本院接受了孕前体检以及在本院妇产科分娩的孕产妇,观察孕产妇孕前的各项体征以及染病情况,同时观察孕产妇分泌物的真菌感染病原菌分布和耐药性以及孕产妇阴道感染状况对新生儿的影响。结果198例孕产妇孕前体检结果显示生殖系统疾病的患病率最高,其次为乳腺疾病,其他疾病均占有一定的比例。将孕产妇分泌物进行化验分析显示其真菌感染率为31.82%,孕产妇的阴道pH值越高,则发生感染的几率越大;发生了阴道感染的孕产妇其新生儿眼分泌物的感染状况较为严重,羊水和胎盘的感染率较低。结论经过本次实验观察孕产妇孕前携带疾病的情况不容乐观,孕产妇分泌物化验结果其真菌病原菌种类多样,且具有较强的耐药性,不同的病原菌呈现出了不同的耐药性,且会受到孕产妇阴道p H值的影响。     

Correlates of Pre-Pregnancy Physical Inactivity: Results from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

Objectives Evaluate the prevalence of physical inactivity (no physical activity or exercise for 30 min or more at least one day per week) in the 3 months prior to pregnancy in a population-based sample of women and identify individual socio-demographic, personal, health, and behavioral factors predictive of pre-pregnancy physical inactivity. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System to assess the prevalence of self-reported pre-pregnancy physical activity among 4,069 women who delivered a live birth in 2004 in Maine, North Carolina, or Washington State. We developed a predictive model by using a backward selection approach to building logistic regression models to identify independent predictors of physical inactivity in the 3 months prior to pregnancy among those women who did not meet national recommendations for physical activity (activity more than 5 days per week). Results Overall, the prevalence of pre-pregnancy physical inactivity was 39.2%. Predictors of physical inactivity prior to pregnancy included higher or lower than normal pre-pregnancy body mass index, lower maternal education level, and a history of previous live births. Women with 12 years of education were particularly likely to be inactive prior to pregnancy (prevalence odds ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.42, 2.32; compared to women with more than 12 years of education). Conclusions Physical inactivity is common among women prior to pregnancy. Information on factors predictive of physical inactivity can be used in the development of clinical activities and public health interventions that aim to reduce the level of physical inactivity among women of reproductive age.     

天津居民行为和生活方式现状分析

目的 了解天津居民出行、锻炼及闲暇静坐等行为和生活方式现状。方法 利用2010-2012年连续三年中国居民营养与健康状况监测中天津监测点样本人群数据,分析出行方式、体育锻炼、做家务、静坐活动的现状。结果 天津市调查人群经常锻炼率为15.5%,男性(17.2%)高于女性(14.1%)。青年组(18~44岁)最低,仅为6.3%。出行方式上,男性步行比例(23.6%)低于女性(39.3%),坐私家车和乘出租车比例(26.1%)高于女性(15.5%);老年人(≥60岁)步行比例最高(55.9%),青年人坐私家车和乘出租车比例高于其他年龄组,达到32.7%。青年人群每天做家务时间(51.17分钟)明显少于中年(45~59岁)(89.23分钟)和老年人群(87.30分钟)。天津市调查人群平均每天闲暇静坐活动时间3.04小时,老年组最高(3.26小时),青年组最低(2.78小时)。结论 天津居民普遍存在缺乏锻炼、身体活动少、静坐时间长等不健康生活方式。应加强对不同年龄人群的干预,增强其关注自身健康的意识,养成健康生活方式,预防慢性病。     

Social influences and low leisure-time physical activity in young Danish adults.

BACKGROUND: Many youths and adults maintain a sedentary life style and a better understanding of the factors which influence physical activity is needed. This study analyses the association between social factors and low leisure-time physical activity in young adults. METHODS: Three hundred and seventeen children aged 6-18 years participated in a health survey in 1979 and again 13 years later. In this cohort the influence of family factors during childhood on the subsequent risk of low leisure-time activity was analysed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Young women were significantly less physically active during leisure time if over 25 years of age, poorly educated and smokers. In multivariate analysis, childhood smoking was the only variable significantly related to low leisure-time physical activity (OR = 5.6 and 95% CI: 1.4-23.6) in young women. In young men, low leisure-time physical activity was associated with parental work activity. Men whose parents had reported high physical activity during work at the examination in 1976-1978 were less often physically inactive during leisure time (OR = 0.2 and 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) at the follow-up in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: Young smoking girls seem to be a key group in the prevention of both smoking and a sedentary life style.     

Health Status and Health Insurance Coverage of Women with Live-Born Infants: An Opportunity for Preventive Services After Pregnancy

Most women in the US have access to health care and insurance during pregnancy; however women with Medicaid-paid deliveries lose Medicaid eligibility in the early postpartum period. This study examined the association between health insurance coverage at the time of delivery and health conditions that may require preventive or treatment services extending beyond pregnancy into the postpartum period. We used 2008 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 27 states (n = 35,980). We calculated the prevalence of maternal health conditions, including emotional and behavioral risks, by health insurance status at the time of delivery. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between health insurance coverage, whether Medicaid or private, and maternal health status. As compared to women with private health insurance, women with Medicaid-paid deliveries had higher odds of reporting smoking during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.85, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.56–2.18), physical abuse during pregnancy (AOR: 1.73, 95 % CI: 1.24–2.40), having six or more stressors during pregnancy (AOR: 2.48, 95 % CI: 1.93–3.18), and experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.24, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.48). There were no significant differences by insurance status at delivery in pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, pre-pregnancy physical activity, weight gain during pregnancy, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, or postpartum contraceptive use. Compared to women with private insurance, women with Medicaid-paid deliveries were more likely to experience risk factors during pregnancy such as physical abuse, stress, and smoking, and postpartum depressive symptoms for which continued screening, counseling, or treatment in the postpartum period could be beneficial.     

江苏省心血管病高危人群身体活动与休闲静坐时间状况

  目的  了解江苏省心血管病高危人群身体活动与休闲静坐时间现状,为制定改善居民身体活动策略提供基础资料和科学依据。  方法  将2015年9月1日―2017年6月30日江苏省6个项目点16 066名35~75岁心血管病高危人群纳入本研究。采用问卷收集个人基础信息、身体活动资料,分析不同特征身体活动与休闲静坐时间状况。  结果  身体活动强度值用代谢当量(metabolic equivalent, MET)表示,研究对象每天总身体活动水平的中位数为11.94 MET-h/d,工作和家务相关身体活动所占比例为87.90%,且不同特征人群身体活动模式各异。每天休闲静坐时间的中位数为1.71 h/d,49.00%的个体每天休闲静坐时间超过2.00 h/d,男性每天休闲静坐时间超过2.00 h/d的比例高于女性(χ2 =122.30, P＜0.001)。  结论  江苏省心血管病高危人群身体活动以工作和家务为主,每天休闲静坐时间超过2.00 h/d者比例较高,应根据不同人群的具体情况进行针对性的健康教育工作。     

Changes in maternal characteristics in Nova Scotia, Canada from 1988 to 2001

BACKGROUND: Maternal characteristics such as age, parity, smoking status, pre-pregnancy weight and pregnancy weight gain have changed in many industrialized countries in recent years. Many of these changes have not been adequately described at a population level. The purpose of this study was to describe recent trends in selected maternal characteristics in Nova Scotia. METHODS: Data from a population-based perinatal database were used to examine changes in maternal age, parity, smoking, pre-pregnancy weight, delivery weight and pregnancy weight gain among all deliveries between 1988 and 2001. RESULTS: The proportion of deliveries to women > or = 35 years increased by 84% over the study period from 7.0% in 1988-1991 to 12.9% in 1998-2000, while deliveries to women > or = 40 years increased by more than 100%. The number of nulliparous women > or = 35 years also increased significantly. The overall prevalence of smoking decreased from 32.7% in 1988-1991 to 25.1% in 1998-2001, however the prevalence of smoking among women <20 years did not change over the study period and was almost 50%. The proportion of women with a pre-pregnancy weight of > or = 90 kilograms (kg) increased by 165% from 4.1% in 1988-1991 to 10.7% in 1998-2001. The proportion of women with pregnancy weight gain of < 7 kg and > or =18 kg increased by 37% and 13%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dramatic changes have occurred in several important maternal characteristics and there is evidence of ongoing change. Continuation of these trends is likely to impact on future obstetric practice and perinatal health.     

陕南中老年农村妇女体力活动评价

目的 了解陕南中老年农村妇女体力活动状况,为政府制定符合本地区体力活动健康促进策略和进行有针对性早期干预提供依据.方法 采用多阶段整群随机抽样方法,抽取40～60岁女性1 652人,进行体力活动问卷调查.结果 轻度、中度和重度体力活动的女性比例分别为58.4％、29.8％和11.8％;不同体力活动水平间运动的生热效应和总能量消耗均值差异有统计意义(P＜0.01),仅轻度体力活动水平的估计能量需要量大于总能量消耗量;不同体力活动水平间家务活动、职业活动和静态活动时间的均值差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),闲暇活动时间在23.2～24.6 min和社会活动时间在44.5～46.1 min,组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 家务劳动的热效应是机体活动能量消耗的主要构成部分,闲暇时间的体育锻炼产热较少,长时间静态活动是超重的潜在危险因素.     

Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity and the risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity on the risk of term cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. METHODS: The authors examined data from 641 nulliparous women with a term pregnancy that participated in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study from 1995 to 2002. Unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for normal weight (BMI 19.8-26.0 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI 26.1-29.0 kg/m(2)), and obese (BMI>29.0 kg/m(2)) women. Normal weight women served as the referent population. RESULTS: The unadjusted risk ratio for cesarean delivery for overweight women compared with normal weight women was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.97, 2.1) and for obese women compared with normal weight women was 1.4 (95% CI, 1.03, 2.0). After controlling for maternal height, education, weight gain during pregnancy, and labor induction, the adjusted risk ratio for cesarean delivery among overweight women was 1.2 (95% CI, 0.8, 1.8). The adjusted risk ratio for obese women was 1.5 (95% CI, 1.05, 2.0). CONCLUSION: Our analysis confirms that there is a moderate association between maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and an unplanned term cesarean delivery. However, the risk is not as large as previously reported.     

The relationship between leisure time, physical activities and musculoskeletal symptoms and disability in worker populations

Objectives: To assess the association between leisure time physical activity and musculoskeletal morbidity, as well as possible interactions with physical activity at work. Methods: A literature search was performed to collect all studies on musculoskeletal disorders in which physical activity was involved as a variable. Next, an analysis was made of questionnaire data on a group of 2,030 workers in various occupations, on self-reported physical activity in leisure time and at work, musculoskeletal symptoms (from low back, neck-shoulder and lower extremity) and sick leave due to these symptoms. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the association between musculoskeletal morbidity and four physical-activity indices (participation in sports and sedentary activities, active life style, sedentary life style), adjusted for age, gender, education and work load. Interaction of leisure activities with age and work load was tested too. Results: Available literature data (39 studies) showed inconsistent results. Most studies did not show any effects. Some studies indicated favourable effects of physical activity, both on low back and neck pain. Participation in some vigorous sports seemed associated with unfavourable effects. The empirical data showed no association between participation in sports and/or other physical activities in leisure time and musculoskeletal symptoms. Sedentary activity in leisure time was associated with higher prevalence rates of low back symptoms and sick leave due to low back symptoms. Conclusions: Stimulation of leisure time physical activity may constitute one of the means of reducing musculoskeletal morbidity in the working population, in particular in sedentary workers. Received: 4 October 1999 / Accepted: 25 April 2000     

Physical Activity Pattern and Energy Expenditure of Malaysian Adults: Findings from the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS)

This paper aims to report the physical activity pattern and energy expenditure of adults aged 18 - 59 years in the Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey (MANS) carried out between October 2002 and December 2003. The survey included 7349 adults representative of Peninsular Malaysia (Northern, Southern, Central and East Coast), as well as Sabah and Sarawak. A total of 6926 adults, comprising 3343 men and 3583 women, completed the physical activity section of the survey. Physical activity data was obtained using a physical activity questionnaire and 24-hour physical activity recall. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was calculated from Ismail et al. (1998) predictive equations; total energy expenditure (TEE) was then estimated through factorial calculations based on time allocated and energy cost of various activities. Physical activity level (PAL) was calculated as the ratio of TEE to BMR. It was found that almost three-quarters of Malaysian adults traveled by passive modes of transportation. Only a third reported having ever-exercised, and an even smaller proportion of the population (14%) had adequate exercise. The population also spent the majority of their time (74% of the day) in sedentary activities, such as sleeping or lying down; doing light intensity activities (15% of the day), and doing moderate to vigorous intensity activities (10% of the day). Mean BMR and TEE was significantly higher amongst men than women, while mean PAL values were similar for men [1.6 (1.6 - 1.7)] and women [1.6 (1.6 - 1.6)]. More men (16%) were categorised as having active PAL compared to women (10%), while more women (43%) were categorised as having sedentary PAL compared to their male counterparts (37%). The present study provides the first in-depth report of the physical activity pattern, and national estimates of energy expenditure and physical activity levels of Malaysian adults, and concluded that Malaysian adults are generally sedentary. It is thus important that physical activity be further promoted and integrated into the lives of the population, preferably through various health promotion efforts as well as through the commitment of the authorities in providing a suitable environment for an active lifestyle.