The Association between Physical Activity Status and Mental Wellbeing among Overweight and Obese Female Students

• Main Authors: Siti Zuhaidah, Shahadan, Nurul Syafiqah, Bolhan, Mohamad Firdaus, Mohamad Ismail
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: RT82 Nursing As A Profession
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/91293/1/2021%20MJHS-%20Abstract%20WCII%20The%20Association%20between%20Physical%20Activity%20Status%20and%20Mental.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/91293/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Physical activity (PA) is important in fighting obesity, and it may also improve one’s mental wellbeing. Nonetheless, the association between PA and mental wellbeing among female university students with elevated body mass index (BMI) is still fragmented. Hence, this study aims to determine the association between PA status and mental wellbeing among overweight and obese female students in a university located in the East region of Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 overweight and obese female students. An online survey of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Acreda Scale (WEMWBS-ACREDA) was distributed using convenience sampling and analysed. The results show that 43.2% of the participants have a high and 18.6% have a low PA level. Meanwhile, the finding revealed that the majority of the participants have a moderate state of mental wellbeing (59.8%). Additionally, a significant moderate positive association between PA status and mental wellbeing among the overweight and obese female students was identified (r=0.341, p<0.01). This study proposed that PA may influence the mental wellbeing of female university students with elevated BMI. Therefore, incorporating more physical related activities in their learning objectives may promote a better quality of life during their campus life.