Introduction: Functional constipation is a widespread gastrointestinal ailment associated with infrequent defecation, unfavorably affecting quality of life. However, it has not been well studied worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects of black bean vinegar (black bean and black bean yeast) consumption in alleviating functional constipation.
Methods: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study involving 70 adults with functional constipation was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia from May till July 2016. Subjects aged 18-60 years diagnosed with a score of more than 15 based on the Constipation Scoring System were included. A third-party-controller assigned black bean vinegar and placebo drinks to two groups with 1:1 ratio using randomisation software. Participants received once-daily doses of black bean vinegar (20 ml daily) or fruit-flavored squash placebo (20 ml daily) which contained vitamins, minerals, trace elements and carbohydrates, without black bean and black bean yeast, for four weeks. Analysis was conducted on an on-treatment basis (i.e., all randomised participants conformed to the study protocol by consuming 20 ml of drinks daily, with less than 10% leftover drinks at post-intervention assessment). Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.
Results: Administration of black bean vinegar did not demonstrate statistically significant differences in any of the outcomes when compared with a placebo drink at α=5% level. However, black bean vinegar consumption significantly improved overall score at postintervention assessment compared to placebo group (p
Introduction: This study aimed to ascertain the effects of a Facebook-based physical activity intervention on improvements in step counts and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Government employees with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned by cluster to the Facebook group (n = 44) or the control group (n = 103). All participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires at baseline, after the first and second phases. Data from anthropometric (weight, body mass index, fat mass, body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio), biochemical (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose) and clinical examinations (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) were collected. The number of steps per day was determined by a Lifecorder e- STEP accelerometer. Results: A significant difference in the number of steps per day between the baseline and the first phase (p
Bone health status was investigated in 178 free-living Chinese post-menopausal women in Kuala Lumpur. Body mass index (BMI), body composition (using whole body DXA), calcium intake and serum 25-OH vitamin D status were measured along with biochemical markers of bone turnover, that is, pro-collagen Type 1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP), osteocalcin (OC) and C-telopeptide ß cross
link of Type 1 collagen (CTX- β). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA (Hologic, USA) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip. Results showed that osteopenia was present in 50% of the subjects at the spine and 57.9% at the femoral neck. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 10% of the subjects at both the femoral neck and spine. A total of 29.3% of the subjects had high
levels of CTX- ß. Mean serum level of 25-OH vitamin D was 60.4+15.6 nmol/L and 50.6% of the subjects had hypovitaminosis D (defined as
Persons with disabilities (PWD) are susceptible to malnutrition. Caregivers or teachers in rehabilitation centres may not be adequately trained in nutrition management of PWD. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice among teachers in community-based rehabilitation centres for PWD; and (ii) to evaluate changes in the nutrition knowledge and attitude of the teachers before and after exposure to a training workshop on nutrition management for PWD.
Introduction: Heavy metals and other contaminants in food have been a concern to food industries, consumers and governing authorities. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals and other elements in edible bird nests (EBNs). Methods: Raw and processed (commercial) EBNs were used in the study. Raw EBNs were collected directly from five house farms in Peninsular Malaysia - Kuala Sanglang (Kedah), Pantai Remis (Perak), Kluang Gohor), Kota Bharu (Kelantan) and Kajang (Selangor). Processed EBNs were pmchased from five Chinese traditional medicinal shops located in Peninsular Malaysia. The levels of 32 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and findings of the study were compared to the maximum regulatory limits set by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) for EBNs. Results: Of the seven elements with maximum regulatory limits (As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Sn, Cu, Fe), one raw EBN was detected with mercury level of 70.180 ppb which was above the SIRIM permissible limit of 50 ppb. All the EBNs had iron levels above the SIRIM permissible limit of 30 ppb. The levels of the other 25 elements with no maximum regulatory limits (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn, Ag, Ba, Be, Bi, B, Li, Ni, Sb, Sr, Ti, U, V, Al, Zr) were also determined. Conclusion: The data obtained for the 25 elements with no permissible limits can serve as baseline data for further studies to establish their maximum regulatory limits.
Introduction: Consumers are advised to read the nutrition labeling when purchasing packaged food. To what extent consumers read nutrition labeling and understand what they read is not well established among Malaysian older persons. Methods: Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III) undertaken in 2006 was analysed to determine the use and understanding of nutrition labeling and its associated factors among free living elderly men and women aged ~60 years. Descriptive analysis and binary Logistic Regression were used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 4,898 respondents provided self-reported information on their use and understanding of nutrition labeling when they bought or received food. Use of nutrition labeling was higher among elderly men [61.9% (95% CI: 59.6-64.1)] than for women [36.6% (95% CI: 34.5-38.8)]. Nutrition labeling use was significantly associated with age, formal education, higher household income levels and marital status among both elderly men and women. Understanding of nutrition labeling among elderly men and women was 91.8% (95% CI: 90.1-93.2) and 89.7% (95% CI: 87.4-91.7) respectively and was significantly associated with formal education for both elderly men and women. Conclusion: Overall, the reading of nutrition labeling among Malaysian elderly is moderate. Elderly men and women with formal education were more likely to understand nutrition labeling. The importance of reading nutrition labels should be inculcated in consumers including older persons so that they choose foods that are nutritious and safe.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)
The objective of the study was to quantify and to profile the amino acids content in urine samples. The amino acids content in urine was determined in 162 individuals (62 young non-vegetarians aged 15-45 years, 24 elderly non-vegetarians aged 46-70 years, 40 young vegetarians and 36 elderly vegetarians) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The most common amino acids detected in the young and elderly individuals on vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets were phenylalanine, threonine, arginine and asparagine, while leucine, aspartic acid and alanine were not found in any urine samples in both groups. Isoleucine was not detected in the urine of vegetarians. The concentrations of the majority of essential amino acids were between 0.10 - 2.00 mgl24hrs except for histidine which had a range of 4.1 - 5.0 mgl24hrs. The concentrations of non-essential amino acids varied. Proline, glycine and tyrosine concentrations were between 0.10 - 1.00 mg/24hrs, while cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid and cystine concentrations were between 11.0 - 21.0 mg124hrs. Asparagine and hydroxy-proline had a range of 0.10 - 5.00 mg/24hrs, while serine and arginine ranged between 31.0 - 50.0 mg124hrs. Isoleucine and serine were not detected in elderly vegetarians while histidine, glycine, glutamic acid and hydroxy-proline were not detected in elderly non-vegetarians. Isoleucine, glycine and hydroxy proline were detected in young non-vegetarians but not in young vegetarians. The levels of amino acids showed no significant statistical differences between young vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well as between elderly vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Phenylalanine, threonine and trypthophan were commonly detected in the lacto-ovo and lacto vegetarians, while valine, cysteine, arginine and asparagine were commonly detected in vegans. In conclusion, except for isoleucine, general differences were seen in urinary amino acid excretions between vegetarians and non-vegetarians even though the differences were statistically not significant. Therefore lacto-ovo diets could be nutritionally adequate as the nutrients were substituted by dairy or plant products.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T is involved in folate and homocysteine metabolism. Disruption in the activity of this enzyme will alter their levels in the body.
Background: Children living in orphanages tend to be neglected and may be malnourished. This study assessed the socio-economic background and nutritional status of children living in an orphanage in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the children in Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage, Dhaka from January to November 2014. Systematic sampling was adopted to collect data from 232 children using a semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken and the WHO reference growth chart was used to determine the children’s nutritional status. Weight-for-age was categorised by mild, moderate and severe malnutrition. The Pearson Chi-square test was performed to determine the association between the extent of malnutrition and socio-demographic characteristics of the children.
Results: The majority of the children (60.3%) in the orphanage were malnourished, with mild, moderate and severe malnourished being 43.1%, 16.8% and 0.4%, respectively. Malnutrition was higher among the boys than girls in the age group of 15-18 years. The orphans suffered significantly (P
Introduction: Obesity and excess weight gain in adults are linked to an increased
risk of cardiometabolic abnormalities. The changing lifestyle experienced by the
Orang Asli predisposes the population to the risk of obesity and non-communicable
diseases. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity as
well as body-weight change over a period of four years among Orang Asli adults.
Methods: Data were collected from Orang Asli adults aged ≥18 years, who were
enrolled in the 2011-2012 and 2015-2016 surveys, and who were residing within
the Krau Wildlife Reserve. Weight and height of the adults (N2011-2012=828; N2015-
2016=662) were measured at both time points. Follow-up data were available for 378
adults (male:113; female:265). Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity
were 18.8% and 7.4% in 2011-2012 and 26.1% and 9.5% in 2015-2016. In the
follow-up group, significant differences in body weight and body mass index (BMI)
were observed in men and women, respectively. More than one-third (35.5%) of the
adults had weight gain of more than 5.0%. The increasing percentage of body weight
change was associated with being female, younger age, more years of schooling and
reduced household income. Conclusion: Obesity is a growing health problem in
the Orang Asli adult population. Weight gain was associated with socioeconomic
indicators and it was more prominent in women. Effective strategies are needed to
address the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population to
further reduce adverse health outcomes.
Despite the many benefits of family meals, data on association between family meals away from home (FMAFH) and nutritional status of adolescents is limited. This study determined the association between FMAFH with dietary intake and body mass index of adolescents (N = 408).
Introduction: Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey III (MOH, 2008) indicate a 43.7% prevalence of physical inactivity among Malaysian adults. This sedentary lifestyle can also be observed among children and adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine factors associated with physical activity levels of four hundred, 13 year-old adolescents in Kuantan, Pahang. Data on socio-demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire while physical activity level was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C).
Results: About one-third of the respondents were in the low physical activity level category, 61.5% were in the moderate category and only 3.0% of the adolescents were in the high physical activity level category. Males were more physically active than females (χ2=23.667, p=0.0001) with female adolescents (45.1%) twice as likely as male adolescents (22.1%) to be in the low physical activity level category. The associations between physical activity level with socio-demographic and health-related factors, perception of weight status and body parts satisfaction were not significant. However, physical activity was found to be positively correlated with physical activity self-efficacy (r=0.496,p=0.0001), peer influence (r=0.468, p=0.0001), family influence (r=0.298, p=0.0001) and beliefs in physical activity outcomes (r=0.207, p=0.0001). Negative relationships were found between physical activity with depression (r=-0.116, p=0.021) and body size discrepancy (r=-0.143, p<0.01). Respondents who had a better perception of their current health status were more physically active (χ2=21.062, p=0.0001). Multivariate analyses for the prediction of physical activity showed that physical activity self-efficacy, sex and peer influence were the most significant contributors in explaining physical activity among adolescents.
Conclusion: Physical activity interventions should include psychosocial components as mediator variables in interventions designed to promote regular physical activity in adolescence.
Key words: Adolescents, physical activity, psychosocial factors, health-related factors and socio-demographic factors
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the physical activity levels of 400 adolescents (13 years old) in Kuantan, Pahang using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The associations of physical activity levels with sex, ethnicity and body mass index were also determined. About one third (35.3%) of the adolescents were in the low physical activity level category, 61.5% in the moderate physical activity level and only 3.0% of the adolescents were in the high physical activity level category. More males (77.9%) were physically active than females (54.9%). Twice as many female adolescents (45.1%) were in the low physical activity level category compared to the male adolescents (22.1%). The associations between physical activity with ethnicity and body mass index were not significant. However, there was a significant interaction effect of sex and ethnicity in mean physical activity score (F = 2.36, p<0.01). Malay males had a significantly higher mean physical activity score as compared to Chinese males (t=2.13; p<0.05). Although Chinese females had a higher mean physical activity score than Malay females, the difference was not statistically significant. Conversely, there was no interaction effect of sex and BMI status in mean physical activity score. This study suggests that physical activity intervention to promote regular physical activity is needed since a high proportion of the adolescents fall within the low physical activity level category.
Introduction: Malnutrition among cancer patients is associated with a higher risk of
gastrointestinal toxicity which develops during treatment and may affect quality of life (QOL).
Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the nutritional status and QOL of 30
oncology patients (mean age 50.0+10.7 years) prior to pelvic radiotherapy at Hospital Sultan
Ismail, Johor Bahru.
Methods: Patients were assessed for anthropometry measurements,
24-h diet recall and nutritional status using Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global
Assessment (PG-SGA) questionnaire while the European Organization for Research and
Treatment of Cancer Care Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to
assess QOL two weeks prior to the initiation of pelvic radiotherapy.
Results: Mean Body
Mass Index (BMI) of patients was 23.3+3.3kg/m2
and 33% of patients experienced weight
loss prior to pelvic radiotherapy. The PG-SGA rating indicated that 63% of patients were at
Stage A (well-nourished) and 37% were in Stage B (moderate malnutrition). The PG-SGA
numerical score was a significant predictor of QOL, after adjusting for socio-demographic
factors (R2
=0.861, p
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and factors influencing malnutrition among children aged five years and below in Serian District of Sarawak, a district where the majority of people are indigenous. Methods: Using a cross-sectional method, a total of 177 children were randomly selected and assessed, and their mothers or caregivers were interviewed. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were also taken. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in children aged five years and below was 20.9%, 11.9% and 10.2% respectively. The results suggest that the significant factors contributing to underweight are birth weight, frequency of child visit to the clinic, and individual insecurity. Only age, when complementary diet was introduced, was found to be significantly associated with stunting. For wasting, individual insecurity, duration of family planning and met recommended protein intake per day were found to be significant factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in children 5 years and below in Serian District of Sarawak is high compared to state figures. The major contributing factors were found to be manifested at the individual and family level. There is a need for appropriate public health promotion and socio- economic improvement interventions towards improving the nutritional status and health of children in Serian District.
It is known that dietary diversity improves diet quality and nutritional status of young children. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dietary diversity and nutritional status of Orang Asli children in Krau Wildlife Reserve.
Introduction: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. Risk factors for obesity in this context have not been explored. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with childhood obesity/overweight among young children and adolescents 5-15 years of age in urban Bangladesh.
Methods: A scoping review based on York methodology was performed. This methodology involves a comprehensive search of published academic articles, conference proceedings and grey literature through PubMed, Bangla JOL, Google and Google scholar, limited to English-written papers.
Results: Findings revealed that having at least one overweight parent and engaging in sedentary activities for more than 4 h a day were independent risk factors for childhood overweight and/or obesity.Children who spent ≥ 30 min each day in outdoor games at home that involved physical exercise had decreased odds (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.1–0.8) of being overweight or obese compared to children who did not exercise at home.
Conclusion: Spending much time seated or somewhat inactive were key risk factors for childhood obesity and overweight. More research, prevention and management of childhood obesity/overweight in young children and adolescents in urban Bangladesh should be a policy priority.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine physical activity, eating behaviour, body weight management knowledge, perception of body image and their association with body weight status of adolescents.
The objective of this paper is to assess the perception of bodyweight status among the office workers in two government departments in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 385 Malay workers aged between 18 to 55 years were randomly selected from the Prime Minister’s Department and the Ministry of National Unity and Community Development. The weights and heights of all subjects were measured and their Body Mass Index (BMI) determined. In this study, obesity is defined as individuals having ï‚³ï€ 25 kg/rn 2 . A questionnaire was prepared to obtained information on socioeconomic status, health aspects, dietary intakes, activity levels and perception on bodyweight status. The study revealed a high prevalence of obesity (38.1 %) and among the obese subjects, 21.7 % perceived themselves as having normal weight. The normal weight and underweight subjects perceived themselves as obese (33.5 % and 6.3 % respectively). A small percentage (5.7 %) of the obese individuals who perceived themselves as obese did not wish to lose weight. In contrast, 9.7 % of the normal weight subjects who perceived themselves as having normal weight wanted to lose weight. A third person’s perception on the subjects’ bodyweight status is significantly associated with the subjects’ bodyweight status (P