Behind the Desk: Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors Associated With Obesity Among Working Adults in Kuala Lumpur
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Abstract
Introduction: The rising prevalence of obesity is a growing concern nationwide and increases the risk of non-communicable diseases. This study aims to determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and work environment, with overweight/obesity among Malaysian working adults in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: A cross-sectional study design is carried out among Malaysian workers aged 18 to 64 years with data collected through online administered questionnaires. A total of 290 respondents were involved using convenient sampling. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds of overweight/obesity among working adults for each study factor. Results: In this study, 24.8% of workers were found to be overweight/obese. Male workers had 3.47 times greater odds of being overweight/obese, while married individuals had 4.39 times greater odds. Those who slept less than seven hours per night had 2.75 times greater odds and individuals who skipped breakfast daily had 2.46 times greater odds of being overweight/obese compared to those workers who are not overweight/obese. Conclusion: Overall, one in four working adults were classified as overweight/obese. This research found that gender, marital status, sleeping hours and frequency of meals were associated with being overweight/obesity among workers, significantly. Further research is warranted to explore additional occupational and lifestyle determinants such as work-related stress, dietary quality, and specific job categories that may contribute to elevated BMI, particularly within the Malaysian workforce.
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