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Dietary Habits and Lifestyle Practices among University Students in Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Yun TC, Ahmad SR, Quee DKS

Malays J Med Sci, 2018 May;25(3):56-66.
PMID: 30899187 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.3.6

Background: Young adults are at risk of developing obesity, especially when transitioning into university life as they become responsible for their daily eating and lifestyles. This study estimates the prevalence of overweight/obesity and explores the eating patterns and lifestyle practices of university students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). A total of 303 students participated. Data was collected from January to April 2016. Self-designed questionnaires comprised questions pertaining to current weight, self-reported height data, information on eating habits, exercise and knowledge of the food pyramid. The collected data were used to compare and contrast eating habits and lifestyle practices among overweight/obese students with those of non-overweight/obese students.
Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 28.8% (95% CI: 24.0%, 34.0%). The majority ate regular daily meals, but more than half skipped breakfast. Frequent snacking, fried food consumption at least three times per week and low intake of daily fruits and vegetables were common. The frequency of visits to fast food restaurants was significantly higher in the overweight/obese. 25.4% of the students exercised at least three times per week. Almost all students are aware of balanced nutrition and the food pyramid.
Conclusions: Most university students had poor eating habits, although the majority had good nutrition knowledge. By way of recommendation, the university is encouraged to provide a multi-disciplinary team specialising in health promotion that includes nutrition and physical activity programmes to increase the awareness among the university students.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Unhealthy diet practice and symptoms of stress and depression among adolescents in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia

Tajik E, Latiffah AL, Awang H, Siti Nur'Asyura A, Chin YS, Azrin Shah AB, et al.

Obes Res Clin Pract, 2016 Mar-Apr;10(2):114-23.
PMID: 26204813 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2015.06.001

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Missing main meals and an unhealthy snacking pattern can lead to poor diet quality and consequently to the presence of chronic diseases among which mental disorder is no exception. Since there is little research on diet, skipping meals and psychological status in Asian countries, this study tries to determine eating behaviour and predicting symptoms of stress and depression of adolescents in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Form 1 secondary school-going adolescents (n 1565, response rate: 90%) in southern Malaysia from April to May 2013. A self-administered structured and validated questionnaire (socio-demographic, eating behaviour questionnaire, and depression, anxiety and stress scales (DASS-21)) was used for data collection.

RESULTS: Among respondents, 803 (51.3%) were female, 1125 were Malay (71.9%) with a mean age of 13.7 (SD=0.8) years. Logistic regression analysis indicated that students who were underweight (OR=3.07, 95% CI 1.21, 7.76), obese (OR=2.64, 95% CI 1.01, 6.87), used to eat out of home (OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.28, 2.13), eat dinner (>4 days/week) (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.04, 2.43) were more likely to have depression or stress symptoms. Moreover, participants with 4-7 days/week eating breakfast (OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.21, 0.89) were less likely to be at mild/moderate stress.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the effect of unhealthy eating practices among adolescents on mental health. Targeted education should be implemented to improve psychological well-being.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Assessing the children's views on foods and consumption of selected food groups: outcome from focus group approach

Sharif Ishak SI, Shohaimi S, Kandiah M

Nutr Res Pract, 2013 Apr;7(2):132-8.
PMID: 23610606 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2013.7.2.132

The food choices in childhood have high a probability of being carried through into their adulthood life, which then contributes to the risk of many non-communicable diseases. Therefore, there is a need to gather some information about children's views on foods which may influence their food choices for planning a related dietary intervention or programme. This paper aimed to explore the views of children on foods and the types of foods which are usually consumed by children under four food groups (snacks, fast foods, cereals and cereal products; and milk and dairy products) by using focus group discussions. A total of 33 school children aged 7-9 years old from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur participated in the focus groups. Focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed according to the listed themes. The outcomes show that the children usually consumed snacks such as white bread with spread or as a sandwich, local cakes, fruits such as papaya, mango and watermelon, biscuits or cookies, tea, chocolate drink and instant noodles. Their choices of fast foods included pizza, burgers, French fries and fried chicken. For cereal products, they usually consumed rice, bread and ready-to-eat cereals. Finally, their choices of dairy products included milk, cheese and yogurt. The reasons for the food liking were taste, nutritional value and the characteristics of food. The outcome of this study may provide additional information on the food choices among Malaysian children, especially in urban areas with regard to the food groups which have shown to have a relationship with the risk of childhood obesity.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Obesity-related behaviors of Malaysian adolescents: a sample from Kajang district of Selangor state

Rezali FW, Chin YS, Mohd Yusof BN

Nutr Res Pract, 2012 Oct;6(5):458-65.
PMID: 23198026 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2012.6.5.458

This study aims to determine the association between obesity-related behaviors (dietary practices, physical activity and body image) and body weight status among adolescents. A total of 382 adolescents (187 males and 195 females) aged 13 to 15 years in Kajang, Selangor participated in this study. Majority of the respondents were Malays (56.0%), followed by Chinese (30.1%) and Indians (13.9%). Dietary practices, physical activity and body image of the adolescents were assessed through the eating behaviors questionnaire, two-day dietary record, two-day physical activity record and multi-dimensional body image scale (MBIS), respectively. Body weight and height were measured by trained researchers. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (19.5%) was about twice the prevalence of underweight (10.5%). About two-thirds of the respondents (72.3%) skipped at least one meal and half of them (56.2%) snacked between meals with a mean energy intake of 1,641 ± 452 kcal/day. More than half of the respondents (56.8%) were practicing sedentary lifestyle with a mean energy expenditure of 1,631 ± 573 kcal per day. Energy intake (r = 0.153, P < 0.05), physical activity (r = 0.463, P < 0.01) and body image (r = 0.424, P < 0.01) were correlated with BMI. However, meal skipping, snacking and energy expenditure per kg body weight were not associated with body weight status. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that body image, physical activity and energy intake contributed significantly in explaining body weight status of the adolescents. In short, overweight and obesity were likely to be associated not only with energy intake and physical activity, but also body image. Hence, promoting healthy eating, active lifestyle and positive body image should be incorporated in future obesity prevention programmes in adolescents.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Effect of Family-Based REDUCE Intervention Program on Children Eating Behavior and Dietary Intake: Randomized Controlled Field Trial

Ahmad N, Shariff ZM, Mukhtar F, Lye MS

Nutrients, 2020 Oct 08;12(10).
PMID: 33049909 DOI: 10.3390/nu12103065

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a family-based intervention program (REDUCE) on children's eating behaviors and dietary intake. A two-arm randomized controlled field trial was conducted among parents and children of 7 to 10 years old who were either overweight or obese. The intervention was conducted via face-to-face sessions and social media. The child eating behaviors were assessed using the child eating behaviors questionnaire (CEBQ), while their dietary consumption of vegetables and unhealthy snacks was assessed using a parental report of three days unweighted food. The generalized linear mixed modelling adjusted for covariates was used to estimate the intervention effects with alpha of 0.05. A total of 122 parents (91% response rate) completed this study. At the six-month post-training, there were statistically significant mean differences in the enjoyment of food (F(6481) = 4.653, p < 0.001), fruit and vegetable intake (F(6480) = 4.165, p < 0.001) and unhealthy snack intake (F(6480) = 5.062, p < 0.001) between the intervention and wait-list groups; however, it was not clinically meaningful. This study added to the body of knowledge of family-based intervention that utilized social media and assessed the effect in children's eating behavior using the CEBQ and children's dietary intake.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Dietary Patterns, Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness in 9⁻11-Year-Old Children from Dunedin, New Zealand

Saeedi P, Black KE, Haszard JJ, Skeaff S, Stoner L, Davidson B, et al.

Nutrients, 2018 Jul 10;10(7).
PMID: 29996543 DOI: 10.3390/nu10070887

Research shows that cardiorespiratory (CRF) and muscular fitness in childhood are associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile in adulthood. Identifying factors associated with measures of fitness in childhood could allow for strategies to optimize cardiovascular health throughout the lifecourse. The aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and both CRF and muscular fitness in 9⁻11-year-olds. In this study of 398 children, CRF and muscular fitness were assessed using a 20-m shuttle run test and digital hand dynamometer, respectively. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis. Mixed effects linear regression models were used to assess associations between dietary patterns and CRF and muscular fitness. Most children had healthy CRF (99%, FITNESSGRAM) and mean ± SD muscular fitness was 15.2 ± 3.3 kg. Two dietary patterns were identified; “Snacks” and “Fruit and Vegetables”. There were no significant associations between either of the dietary patterns and CRF. Statistically significant but not clinically meaningful associations were seen between dietary patterns and muscular fitness. In an almost exclusively fit cohort, food choice is not meaningfully related to measures of fitness. Further research to investigate diet-fitness relationships in children with lower fitness levels can identify key populations for potential investments in health-promoting behaviors.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Nutritional status, dietary intake patterns and nutrition knowledge of children aged 5-6 years attending kindergartens in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Poh BK, Kathryn Tham BL, Wong SN, Winnie Chee SS, Tee ES

Malays J Nutr, 2012 Aug;18(2):231-42.
PMID: 24575669 MyJurnal

Early childhood is a period during which many factors influence the development of lifelong eating habits. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of young children and to determine factors related to eating habits.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Use of red palm oil in local snacks can increase intake of provitamin A carotenoids in young aborigines children: a Malaysian experience

Ng TK, Low CX, Kong JP, Cho YL

Malays J Nutr, 2012 Dec;18(3):393-7.
PMID: 24568080 MyJurnal

Carotenoid-rich red palm oil (RPO)-based snacks have been provided to children in impoverished communities to improve their vitamin A status. The non-availabilty of information on the acceptability of RPO-based snacks by Malaysian aborigines (Orang Asli) children forms the basis of this study.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks*
Fulltext The trans fatty acids content of selected foods in Malaysia

Akmar ZD, Norhaizan ME, Azimah R, Azrina A, Chan YM

Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):87-98.
PMID: 24800387 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of information on the trans fatty acid (TFA) content in Malaysian foods. The objective of this study is to determine the TFA content of bakery products, snacks, dairy products, fast foods, cooking oils and semisolid fats, and breakfast cereals and Malaysian fast foods. This study also estimated the quantity of each isomer in the foods assayed.
METHODS: The trans fatty acid content of each food sample was assessed in duplicate by separating the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) in a gas chromatography system equipped with HP-88 column (USA: split ratio 10: 1) for cis/trans separation. Five major TFA isomers, palmitoelaidic acid (16: 1t9), petroselaidic acid (18:1t6), elaidic acid (18:1t9), vaccenic acid (18: 1t11) and linoelaidic acid (18:2t9, 12), were measured using gas chromatography (GC) and the data were expressed in unit values of g/100 g lipid or g/100 g food.
RESULTS: The total TFA contents in the studied foods were < 0.001 g-8.77 g/100 g lipid or < 0.001 g-5.79 g/100 g foods. This value falls within the standard and international recommendation level for TFA. The measured range of specific TFA isomers were as follows: palmitoelaidic acid (< 0.001 g-0.26 g/100 g lipid), petroselaidic acid (< 0.001 g - 3.09 g/100 g lipid), elaidic acid (< 0.001 g-0.87 g/100 g lipid), vaccenic acid (< 0.001 g-0.41 g/100 g lipid) and linoelaidic acid (< 0.001 g-6.60 g/100 g lipid).
CONCLUSION: These data indicate that most of the tested foods have low TFA contents (< 1 g/100 g lipid).

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Eating patterns of school children and adolescents in Kuala Lumpur

Moy FM, Gan CY, Mohd Kassim SZ

Malays J Nutr, 2006;12(1):1-10.
MyJurnal

Eating patterns such as eating frequency, skipping of breakfast, and frequency of meals eaten away from home might influence school-going children's nutritional status, which will then influence their health and academic performance. This article reports the findings of a survey on the eating patterns of the school children and adolescents in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 3620 school children studying in Primary 5, Secondary 2 and Secondary 4 were selected using multi-stage sampling. The students were surveyed using a pre-tested questionnaire while their weights and heights were measured in the field. It was found that 19.9% skipped at least one meal a day with the youngest group having the lowest prevalence. The most frequently missed meal is breakfast (12.6%) followed by lunch (6.7%) and dinner (4.4%). The school is an important provider of breakfast and lunch for the students. As the students' age increased, the prevalence of eating breakfast and lunch in school increased. The youngest age group had the highest prevalence of snacking and taking of nutritional supplements (p<0.05). Fast food and local hawker food were also consumed by about 60-70% of the students. Logistic regression analysis showed that skipping of breakfast is significantly associated with age, sex, BMI and taking of nutritional supplements. Promotion of healthy eating should be targeted at students in primary and secondary schools as they tend to depend on outside food.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Dietary intake of adolescents in a rural fishing community in Tuaran District, Sabah

Foo LH, Khor GL, Tee, E. Siong ES, Prabakaran D

Malays J Nutr, 2006;12(1):11-21.
MyJurnal

Dietary intakes and lifestyle habits during adolescence may predict the occurrence of obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases later in life. The purpose of this study was to determine dietary intake of adolescents in a fishing community in Tuaran District, Sabah. A total of 199 apparently healthy adolescents comprising 94 male and 105 female subjects were purposively selected for the study. The mean age of the subjects was 15.2 f 2.2 years with female subjects having a higher mean age of 15.7 f 2.4 years compared to the males (14.6 k1.8 years). The mean BMI of the subjects was 18.4 f 2.9 kg/m2 with females having a significantly higher BMI (18.9 f 2.8 kg/m2) than the males (17.8 f 3.0 kg/m2). Based on the WHO classification (WHO, 1995), 19.6% of the subjects could be classified as thin while 4.5% were at risk of overweight. Overall for both sexes, intake of energy and most nutrients were below the Malaysian recommended nutrient intake (RNI) levels for adolescents, with the exception of vitamin C and niacin. The male subjects showed higher mean intake for vitamin A, thiamine, niacin and vitamin C than the females. Calcium and iron intake ranked among the lowest levels, at 33.4% and 47.2% respectively of the RNI values for both sexes. The main sources of energy were rice, flour products and tubers while fish and seafood were the chief sources of protein. Majority of the subjects (84%) reported taking breakfast daily, which often consisted of fried noodles, fried banana, doughnuts and coffee. Consumption of snacks was popular and commonly consumed snacks were bread, biscuits, and fried banana. The present study revealed that 25.5% and 14.3% of the male and female adolescents respectively were thin, with majority of them consuming inadequate levels of energy and several key nutrients. The results underscore the need for adolescents to be targeted for nutrition and health education as they go through a period of marked physical, physiological and psychological changes.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Association of body weight status and socio-demographic factors with food habits among preschool children in Peninsular Malaysia

Norimah, A.K., Mohd Nasir, M.T., Hazizi, A.S., Suraya, I., Nurliyana, A.R.

Malays J Nutr, 2014;20(3):303-315.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Otanges in children's food habits are largely attributed to changes in the family and social environment. 1bis cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the association of socio-demographic factors with food habits among preschool children in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A total of 1,933 preschool children aged 4-6 years old participated in the study. Parents or guardians were interviewed on the socio-demographic characteristics and food habits of their children. Height and weight of the preschoolers were measured; BMI-for-age, weight-for-age and height-for-age were determined. Results: The mean monthly household income was RM3,610 with 59.6% of parents having attained secondary education. The prevalence of possible risk of overweight, being overweight and obesity were 3.9%, 7.9% and 8.1%, respectively while the prevalence of underweight and stunting was 8.0% and 8.4%. A majority of the preschoolers consumed breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with the proportion of children skipping their main meals at about 15.0%. Parents' education level and household income were significantly associated with intakes of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, as well as fast food. However, there was no significant association between children's body weight status and frequency of main meals intake, fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and fast food intake. Conclusion: The preschoolers demonstrated moderately healthy food habits; nevertheless even at this young age, they were inclined towards fried foods, snacking and fast foods intake. Parents and guardians should play a more significant role in educating and promoting good nutrition and food habits among preschoolers.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext An evaluation of eating behavior, psychosocial status and body mass index among adolescents in Malaysia

Zuraida, A.S., Mohammad Basri, R., Ho, C.E.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013;22(2):10-18.
MyJurnal

Objective: This study is an attempt to produce an abbreviated Malay version of Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (MWALI), as well as to examine the psychometric properties of the eating behavior which formed part of MWALI. Methods: The MWALI was translated ‘forward–backward’ from English to Malay and then administered to 135 adolescents. The factor construct of the 24-item eating behavior and the relationships between factor scores and demographic profile, dysphoria, global self-esteem and body mass index (BMI) were examined. Results: The exploratory factor analysis yielded five factors: Negative Emotion, Poor Impulse Control, Social Cues, Snacking and Early Meals in relation to over-eating. All the factors were significantly and positively correlated with BMI. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the eating behavior were satisfactory. Conclusion: MWALI is appropriate for assessing eating behavior among overweight and obese adolescents in the primary care setting in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for assessment of energy, total fat, fatty acids, and vitamin A, C and E intake among Malaysian women: comparison with three days 24-hour diet recalls

Mohd Razif Shahril, Suhaina Sulaiman, Soraya Hanie Shaharudin, Nurismah Md Isa, Sharifah Noor Akmal Syed Hussain

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2008;6(2):75-91.
MyJurnal

Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is a practical tool for the measurement of usual food intake in large surveys because it gives a quick approximation to 'true' dietary intake. This study was carried out to compare the semiquantitative FFQ with three day 24-hour diet recalls (24-hr DR) in assessing intake of energy, total fat, fatty acids and vitamin A, C and E among Malaysian women. This semi-quantitative FFQ which was developed specifically for the Malay and Indian ethnicities has 200 food items and categorized according to three mealtimes namely breakfast, lunch or dinner and morning or afternoon snacks. A total of 51 Malay and 28 Indian women aged between 30 to 60 years were selected as study subjects. The result of the study shows that majority of study subjects were within the normal EI/BMR ratio when their energy intake was assessed by semi-quantitative FFQ (70%) and 24-hr DR (74%). However, 10% of study subjects became over-reporters when their intakes were assessed using the semi-quantitative FFQ. Analysis of t-test shows there is no significant difference (p > 0.05) on the mean intake of energy, total fats, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A, C and E between semi-quantitative FFQ and 24-hr DR. Percent mean differences were also less than 10% for all nutrients included in this study. This indicates that the semi-quantitative FFQ can produce comparable results with 24-hr DR. Energy adjusted correlation coefficient values for all studied nutrients were total fat (r = 0.64, p = 0.02), saturated fatty acids (r = 0.59, p = 0.01), monounsaturated fatty acids (r = 0.52, p = 0.03), polyunsaturated fatty acids (r = 0.57, p = 0.02), vitamin A (r = 0.69, p = 0.01), retinol (r = 0.55, p = 0.01), beta carotene (r = 0.74, p = 0.01), vitamin C (r = 0.64, p = 0.02) and vitamin E (r = 0.69, p = 0.01). Cross-classification for both methods into quartiles of intake resulted in correct classification into the same or adjacent quartile from 82% to 96% of the study subjects. Only 3% of the subjects were grossly misclassified. As a conclusion, this semi-quantitative FFQ gives estimation as good as 24-hr DR for intakes of energy, total fat, fatty acids and vitamin A, C and E among Malaysian women specifically for the Malay and Indian ethnicities. This semi-quantitative FFQ is a useful tool in dietary intake assessment for research use especially for epidemiological study on diet and disease relationship such as cardiovascular, cancer and diabetes.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Studying the effects of nucleating agents on texture modification of puffed corn-fish snack

Shahmohammadi HR, Bakar J, Rahman RA, Adzhan NM

J Food Sci, 2014 Feb;79(2):E178-83.
PMID: 24410375 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12324

To improve textural attributes of puffed corn-fish snack, the effects of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate (talc), sodium bicarbonate as well as 5% and 10% of wheat bran (as the nucleating materials) on textural attributes were studied. Sensory evaluation, bulk density, expansion ratio, maximum force, and count peaks were measured using the Kramer test. The results showed that all of the additives except bran significantly enhanced the texture. Among them, talc at 0.5% was the best to enhance the density and expansion ratio. Effects of using 0.5% talc on puffed corn-fish snack microstructure were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The average cell diameter of 109 ± 48 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 67.4 for talc-treated products were obtained, while for nontalc-treated extrudates, average cell diameter of 798 ± 361 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 13.9 were found. Incorporation of 0.5% w/w of magnesium silicate reduced (7-fold) the average cell diameter while increased (4-fold) the cell number.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks*
Fulltext Traps as treats: a traditional sticky rice snack persisting in rapidly changing Asian kitchens

Schwallier R, de Boer HJ, Visser N, van Vugt RR, Gravendeel B

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 2015;11:24.
PMID: 25889115 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0010-x

An accessory to modern developing economies includes a shift from traditional, laborious lifestyles and cuisine to more sedentary careers, recreation and convenience-based foodstuffs. Similar changes in the developed western world have led to harmful health consequences. Minimization of this effect in current transitional cultures could be met by placing value on the maintenance of heritage-rich food. Vitally important to this is the preservation and dissemination of knowledge of these traditional foods. Here, we investigate the history and functionality of a traditional rice snack cooked in Nepenthes pitchers, one of the most iconic and recognizable plants in the rapidly growing economic environment of Southeast Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Characterization of a novel type I l-asparaginase from Acinetobacter soli and its ability to inhibit acrylamide formation in potato chips

Jiao L, Chi H, Lu Z, Zhang C, Chia SR, Show PL, et al.

J Biosci Bioeng, 2020 Jun;129(6):672-678.
PMID: 32088137 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.01.007

l-Asparaginases have the potential to inhibit the formation of acrylamide, a harmful toxin formed during high temperature processing of food. A novel bacterium which produces l-asparaginase was screened. Type I l-asparaginase gene from Acinetobacter soli was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant l-asparaginase had an activity of 42.0 IU mL-1 and showed no activity toward l-glutamine and d-asparagine. The recombinant l-asparaginase exhibited maximum catalytic activity at pH 8.0 and 40°C. The enzyme was stable in the pH ranging from 6.0 to 9.0. The activity of the recombinant enzyme was substantially enhanced by Ba2+, dithiothreitol, and β-mercaptoethanol. The Km and Vmax values of the l-asparaginase for the l-asparagine were 3.22 mmol L-1 and 1.55 IU μg-1, respectively. Moreover, the recombinant l-asparaginase had the ability to mitigate acrylamide formation in potato chips. Compared with the untreated group, the content of acrylamide in samples treated with the enzyme was effectively decreased by 55.9%. These results indicate that the novel type I l-asparaginase has the potential for application in the food processing industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
The relationship between dietary patterns and overweight and obesity in children of Asian developing countries: A Systematic Review

Yang WY, Williams LT, Collins C, Siew Swee CW

JBI Libr Syst Rev, 2012 1 1;10(58):4568-4599.
PMID: 27820524

BACKGROUND: The exponential increase in prevalence of childhood obesity has become a global concern. Developing countries in Asia are at particular risk due to their stage in the epidemiological and nutrition transition.
OBJECTIVES: The review objectives were to summarize the evidence on prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity within developing countries in Asia and to synthesise the best epidemiological association between the dietary patterns of children in the developing countries in Asia and their weight status in terms of obesity.
INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered any studies that included children under 18 years of age who live in developing countries in Asia.This review of epidemiological association considered any analytical observational studies (case-control studies, cohort studies and analytical cross-sectional studies).The focus was to summarise the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity within developing countries in Asia and synthesise the best available evidence on the relationship between dietary patterns as the exposure variable and childhood overweight and obesity as the outcome.
SEARCH STRATEGY: A three-step search strategy was utilised, with an initial limited search of MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE to identify search terms. A second search using all identified keywords and index terms was undertaken across all included databases. Thirdly, the reference list of all identified reports and articles were searched for additional studies. Additional electronic databases searched included: ProQuest, Web of Science, and Scopus. Each database was searched from inception to September 2011, with an English language restriction.
METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY: All papers selected for retrieval were assessed independently by two reviewers using standardised critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute.
DATA COLLECTION: Data was extracted from included studies by two reviewers independently using an adapted version of the standardised data extraction form from the Joanna Briggs Institute.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Meta-analysis was not possible because of the heterogeneity of studies in terms of methodology, statistical analyses and outcomes. A narrative summary of results is provided.
RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in the review. The prevalence rates of childhood overweight and obesity in Asian developing countries ranged from 5.1% to 19.9% with no specific trend in age or gender. Several significant but inconsistent statistical associations between dietary patterns and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents were found [high energy diet (OR: 1.80 95%CI 1.10 to 2.90, p<0.05 vs 0.80 95%CI 0.60 to 1.10, p>0.05), low intake of fruit and vegetables (OR: 2.34 95%CI 1.04 to 5.24, p<0.001; 2.00 95%CI 1.10 to 3.40, p<0.05 vs 1.33 95%CI 0.44 to 4.05, p>0.05; 0.70 95%CI 0.50 to 1.00, p>0.05), high meat consumption (RR: 2.40 95%CI 1.00 to 5.60, p<0.05 vs 1.70 95%CI 1.00 to 2.70, p>0.05), eating out (OR: 12.0 95%CI 7.7 to 18.7, p<0.001; 1.70 95%CI 1.04 to 2.90, p<0.05 vs 1.20 95%CI 0.60 to 2.40, p>0.05), fast food intake (OR: 1.50 95%CI 1.12 to 2.02, p<0.05), presence of snacking (OR: 2.34 95%CI 1.01 to 5.54, p=0.05; 1.26 95%CI 1.13 to 1.40, p<0.05 vs 0.80 95%CI 0.48 to 1.32,p=0.377; 0.60 95%CI 0.30 to 0.99, p<0.05; 0.60 95%CI 0.40 to 0.90, p<0.05) and drinking sugar sweetened beverages (OR: 1.60 95%CI 1.02 to 2.50, p<0.05; 1.70 95%CI 1.10 to 2.70, p<0.05 vs 0.93 95%CI 0.82 to 1.05, p>0.05)]. The key limitation was the heterogeneity of studies in terms of measures of dietary patterns and obesity standards.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of childhood overweight and obesity in Asian developing countries ranged from 5.1% to 19.9% with no specific trend in age or gender. From the practice perspective, several significant yet inconsistent statistical associations between dietary patterns and childhood overweight/obesity in children and adolescents were found.This review highlights the need for clinicians to monitor the effects of dietary change on the weight and health status of children in Asian countries.There is a need for valid measures of dietary intake and use of standardised international cut-offs for overweight and obesity, and for future researchers to conduct prospective studies to determine the causal relationship between Asian children's dietary pattern and their weight status.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Fulltext Saliva pH changes in patients with high and low caries risk after consuming organic (sucrose) and non-organic (maltitol) sugar

Widowati, W., Akbar, S.H., Tin, M.H.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2013;12(2):15-21.
MyJurnal

Enamel demineralization is associated with decrease in saliva pH due to fermentation of sugar by oral commensal. Thus, exploring the changing pattern of saliva pH is meaningful in dental caries prevention. The aim of this study was to compare the changing pattern of saliva pH after consuming different types of sweeteners (sucrose and maltitol). Methods: It was a case-control study involving 14 male patients attending IIUM dental clinic who were selected with the intention of getting seven patients with high caries risk ( DMFT ≥6) and seven patients with low caries risk (DMFT ≤3) with initial saliva pH interval of 6.5 to7.5. Patients were asked to consume snacks containing 8 gram sucrose and 8 gram maltitol as sweeteners. The changing pH values of the saliva were measured by Waterproof pHTestr 10BNC (Oakton, Vernon Hills, USA) seven times consecutively at 0 (before snack consumption), and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after snack consumption. The pH values of saliva of patients with low and high caries risk after consuming sucrose and maltitol were statistically analized by using Anova and Tukey-HSD tests at α = 0.05. Result: There were significant differences in saliva pH changes between low-risk group and high-risk group after consuming sucrose and maltitol. Conclusion: The changing patterns of saliva pH in high-risk patients were lower than those of low-risk patients after consuming two types of snacks containing sucrose and maltitol.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks
Sustaining traditional food: consumers’ perceptions on physical characteristics of Keropok Lekor or fish snack

International Food Research Journal, 2011;18(1):117-124.
MyJurnal

Keropok Lekor or frankfurter-like snack has long existed in Malaysia and has been sold in commercial retail shops as well as on the streets. The aims of this study were to analyze consumer’s perception and attitude towards keropok lekor and to determine consumer’s behavior on the product. Survey questionnaire was employed as a data collection tool. A total of 212 respondents from a university participated in this study. Results showed that more than 70% of the respondents chose to eat keropok lekor because of the taste. Half of the respondents chose black pepper as an innovative supplementary flavor of keropok lekor. This study also explores and analyses preliminary consumer behavior about keropok lekor such as satisfaction level, factors that drive consumption, product’s image from consumer perspectives and etc.

Matched MeSH terms: Snacks

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