In conjunction with World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2021, let’s remind ourselves to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle in order to prevent diabetes mellitus.
According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), the prevalence of diabetes among Malaysian adults was at 18.3 per cent, with 9.4 per cent aware and 8.9 per cent unaware of their condition. There has been an increasing trend, from 11.2 per cent in 2011 and 13.4 per cent in 2015.
The 2019 NHMS reported that about one-quarter of the adult population are physically inactive. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Malaysian government has introduced a series of movement control orders.
With the various lockdowns implemented during the past one-and-a-half years, there could be an increase in the proportion of adults having a sedentary lifestyle.
A systemic review reported that an increase in sedentary behaviour has been found among adult participants during the pandemic.(1)
With the opening of almost all economic sectors and public areas, including parks and sports facilities, we should make good use of such facilities by incorporating physical activities into our daily lives.
Despite most states having moved to Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan, several employees are still working from home in compliance with SOPs.
An extended period of working from home can result in the development of a sedentary lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle with long periods of sitting down may cause an increase in body weight and changes in the body’s metabolism, such as insulin resistance that could lead to Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.(2)
It could be challenging for working adults to alter their sedentary behaviour. Therefore, we recommend the following(4):
- The government should disseminate relevant information via social media platforms about the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle on our health.
- Employers are encouraged to provide standing workstations for employees to reduce prolonged sitting. City and town councils should improve recreational facilities at parks, which will encourage physical activities.
- Support from colleagues in the form of encouraging each other to take short breaks during long hours of sitting while working. Family members and friends can also organise walking and jogging events.
- Finding a physical activity that you enjoy will motivate you to continue with it, and this will discourage sedentary behaviour while working from home.
With Covid-19 still an ongoing disease worldwide as well as in Malaysia, adults should not only comply with SOPs at workplaces and public areas, but also stay physically active to prevent Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a risk factor for severe Covid.
References
1. Stockwell S, Trott M, Tully M, Shin J, Barnett Y, Butler L, et al. Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2021;7(1):e000960.
2. Wilmot EG, Edwardson CL, Achana FA, Davies MJ, Gorely T, Gray LJ, et al. Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. 2012;55(11):2895-905.
3. Ricci F, Izzicupo P, Moscucci F, Sciomer S, Maffei S, Di Baldassarre A, et al. Recommendations for physical inactivity and sedentary behavior during the coronavirus disease (Covid19) pandemic. Frontiers in public health. 2020;8:199.
Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming is from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, and Ng Yit Han is a PhD candidate at the University of Malaya.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
