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Fulltext Body image perceptions and weight loss behavior among young adults

Nasuha Najwa Ali Hanapiah, Suriati Sidek

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2018;2(3):426-434.
MyJurnal

University students tend to be more concerned on their body image and body shape concerns because of the surrounding The present study was conducted among undergraduate students at
the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan with the aim to identify the body image
perceptions, body shape concerns and weight loss behaviors. Methods: A total of 135 participants
comprising of 50 male and 85 female undergraduate students were recruited from six Kulliyyah in IIUM Kuantan. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale, Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-16) and Weight Loss Behavior Scales (WLBS) were used as assessment tools. Results: The result showed 73.3% of students had normal BMI status, 6.7% were underweight and the remaining were overweight or obese. More than 50% of the participants were somewhat concern about their body shape. In addition, more than half of the participants (54.8%) were dissatisfied with their body image and had desired to be thinner. The most preferred weight loss behavior among the participants was exercise compared to other weight loss approaches. The result shows that concerns to dieting and weight have a significant association with BMI status. Meanwhile, body shape concerns are found to be significantly associated with concern to dieting and weight, as well as avoidance of fatty and sweet foods. However, there was no association between body shape concerns and exercise. Conclusion: Based on the findings, more tailored intervention programs that lead to healthy body image and weight loss behavior are needed among young adults.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Overweight and obesity among employees at a private university in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study towards a healthy workplace

Jo Ann Andoy-Galvan, Nimesha Tillekeratne, Tilanka Tillekeratne

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(102):40-40.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Obesity is a growing public health concern. Poor diet and lifestyle choices are the main contributors to its development. Lifestyle modifications should be aggressively promoted in the community. Recent studies found that worksite obesity prevention and control programs are effective in increasing physical activity and weight reduction among employees. In Malaysia, there is insufficient data on prevalence studies of workplaces. This study investigated the proportion of overweight and obesity among workers in a private university and hope to serve as a baseline for future healthy workplace programs. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated overweight and obesity and examined its association with occupational stress, sleeping quality, dietary behaviour and physical inactivity among employees in an academic institution. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated and coded as underweight, normal, overweight and obese according to the cut-off points for the Asian population. Results: Out of ninety-five employees, 55 participated in the survey. Among the 55 employees, 4 (7.3%) were underweight, 10 (18.2%) were normal, 25 (45.5%) were overweight, and 16 (29.1%) were obese. The obese and overweight proportion was similar to the national prevalence. Poor sleep quality and high Job stress scores were reported by 40% of the employees, while physical inactivity of more than 6 hours a day was reported by 50%, and the majority (90%) do not consume enough fibre. Among the risk factors investigated, none was associated with obesity. Conclusion: The proportion of overweight and obesity in this community was like the general population. While not significant in this study, the association between obesity and the four risk factors should be further investigated using a larger sample size. Based on the results, community-based health promotion intervention is suggested to reduce obesity among the employees.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors associated with malnutrition among children with learning disabilities: a scoping review

Nur Hamiza Ruzaini Hashim, Sakinah Harith, Raishan Shafini Bakar, Nur-Fazimah Sahran

Malays J Nutr, 2017;23(1):65-80.
MyJurnal

Introduction: By the end of 2015, about 72,152 children with learning disabilities were registered under the Malaysian Welfare Service Department (JKM). Malnutrition has been found to be a common setback among children with learning disability (LD). This study presents available evidence on the prevalence and risk factors associated with malnutrition in children with LD.

Methods: A framework suggested by Arksey & O`Male (2005) was used to carry out this scoping review. Published articles, reviews and reports were identified through a complete search. Inclusion criteria for the search were English articles related to LD, published from 2005 to 2016.

Results: Seventeen international studies published from 2005 until 2015 with a total of 318,596 participants and one study involving 281 participants from Malaysia, were identified and included in this review (n=18). The target age range of the sample in these 18 studies was 2 - 20 years, with a mean age of 3.2 - 14.2 years. The prevalence of underweight among children with LD was 3.4 - 36%, overweight 7.6 - 37% and obesity 5.7 - 52%. Several studies reveal that malnutrition risk among children with LD is significantly associated with gender, age, genetic syndrome, type of disability, medication used, and country economic status.

Conclusion: A number of studies show that children with LD have a higher prevalence of being overweight and obese than typically developing children and the risk associated with obesity significantly increases with age.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Nutritional status and the use of protease inhibitors among Hiv-infected children in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Mohd. Nasir, M. T., Yeo, J., Huang, M. S. L., Koh, M. T., Kamarul Azhar, R., Khor, G. L.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2011;7(2):73-79.
MyJurnal

This study determined the association between nutritional status and the use of protease inhibitors (PI)
containing regimen among HIV-infected children receiving treatment at the referral centres in Klang
Valley. A total of 95 children currently on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, aged one to eighteen years, were recruited using purposive sampling. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, medical history, were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum micronutrients levels and lipid profile were also examined using blood samples. Mean age was 8.8 3.9 years and 44.2% were on PI. Age ( 2 = 10.351, p = .006), weight-for-age ( 2 = 6.567, p = .010), serum selenium ( 2 = 4.225, p = .040) and HDL-C ( 2 = 7.539, p = .006) were significantly associated with the use of PI. Fewer children on PI were deficient in selenium as compared to those not on PI. On the contrary, more children on PI were underweight and had low HDL-C. The use of PI was found to have both positive and negative effects with better selenium level but poorer HDL-C level and weight status.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Early Height and Weight Changes in Children Using Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis With Antiretroviral Therapy

Boettiger DC, Muktiarti D, Kurniati N, Truong KH, Saghayam S, Ly PS, et al.

Clin Infect Dis, 2016 Nov 01;63(9):1236-1244.
PMID: 27470239

BACKGROUND: The growth benefits of cotrimoxazole during early antiretroviral therapy (ART) are not well characterized.
METHODS: Individuals enrolled in the Therapeutics Research, Education, and AIDS Training in Asia Pediatric HIV Observational Database were included if they started ART at ages 1 month-14 years and had both height and weight measurements available at ART initiation (baseline). Generalized estimating equations were used to identify factors associated with change in height-for-age z-score (HAZ), follow-up HAZ ≥ -2, change in weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and follow-up WAZ ≥ -2.
RESULTS: A total of 3217 children were eligible for analysis. The adjusted mean change in HAZ among cotrimoxazole and non-cotrimoxazole users did not differ significantly over the first 24 months of ART. In children who were stunted (HAZ < -2) at baseline, cotrimoxazole use was not associated with a follow-up HAZ ≥ -2. The adjusted mean change in WAZ among children with a baseline CD4 percentage (CD4%) >25% became significantly different between cotrimoxazole and non-cotrimoxazole users after 6 months of ART and remained significant after 24 months (overall P < .01). Similar changes in WAZ were observed in those with a baseline CD4% between 10% and 24% (overall P < .01). Cotrimoxazole use was not associated with a significant difference in follow-up WAZ in children with a baseline CD4% <10%. In those underweight (WAZ < -2) at baseline, cotrimoxazole use was associated with a follow-up WAZ ≥ -2 (adjusted odds ratio, 1.70 vs not using cotrimoxazole [95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.25], P < .01). This association was driven by children with a baseline CD4% ≥10%.
CONCLUSIONS: Cotrimoxazole use is associated with benefits to WAZ but not HAZ during early ART in Asian children.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Association between functional dentition with inadequate calorie intake and underweight in elderly people living in “Pondok” in Kelantan

Seman, K., Abdul Manaf, H., Ismail, A.R.

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2007;2(1):10-19.
MyJurnal

This study was to investigate the association between functional dentition with inadequate calorie intake and underweight in elderly people living in “Pondok” in Kelantan. A cross-sectional study participated by 369 elderly people was carried out. A simple random sampling method was utilized for the selection of the subjects. Subjects were interviewed using a structured form to collect information about subjects’ demographic background and self-reported health status. The 24-hour recall method was used to provide information on the subject’s exact food intake during the previous 24 hours. Body mass index was calculated from subjects’ weight and height, followed by oral assessment. The “Nutrical Software” was used for nutrient calculation, followed by SPSS version 11.5 for data analysis. The response rate was 95.6%. Majority of the respondents were female (92.4%). The percentage of subjects who had inadequate calorie intake and underweight was 71.0% and 25.7% respectively. The percentage of edentulism was 81.0%. The proportion of elderly with compromised functional dentition was 48.2% and majority was edentate elderly without wearing any complete dentures or wearing defective dentures, 23.6% and 56.2% respectively, while 20.2% was dentate elderly. The odds of having inadequate calorie intake and getting underweight among elderly with a compromised functional dentition was 3.7 times and 42.0 times respectively, compared to elderly with a non-compromised functional dentition. There was a significant association between inadequate calorie intake and underweight with functional dentition among elderly living in “Pondok” in Kelantan.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Reliability and validity of the adult learning inventory among medical students

Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

Education in Medicine Journal, 2011;3(1):22-31.
MyJurnal

Objective: To determine the internal consistency and construct validity of the Adult Learning Inventory (AL-i) among first year medical students in a Malaysian medical school. Methods: Cross sectional study was done on 196 first year medical student in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The Cronbach’s alpha reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to measure internal consistency and construct validity of the AL-i respectively. These analyses were done using Predictive Analytics SoftWare (PASW) version 18 and Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) version 19. Result: A total of 196 medical students responded to this study. Exploratory factor analysis showed that two potential constructs would be extracted from the inventory. The confirmatory factor analysis showed the two factor model with six items had a good fit with the latent constructs (X2 (df) = 25.63 (8), p = 0.048, RMR = 0.045, GFI = 0.974, AGFI = 0.933, NFI = 0.974, RFI = 0.951, IFI = 0.987, TLI = 0.975, CFI = 0.987, RMSEA = 0.07). Each domain of the final model of the AL-i has three items. The Cronbach’s alpha value of the AL-i was 0.72. The Cronbach’s alpha values of andragogy and pedagogy domains were 0.87 and 0.86 respectively. Composite Reliability and Average Variance Extracted values were more than 0.6 and 0.5 respectively indicating good construct reliability and adequate convergent validity. Conclusion: This study suggested that the two factor model with 6 items of the AL-i has a good fit and shown good psychometric values. It is a valid and reliability measurement to determine types of leaner among first year medical students.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Nutritional status of Rohingya children in Kuala Lumpur

Sok Teng, T., Zalilah, M. S.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2011;7(1):41-49.
MyJurnal

The Rohingya is a group of refugees from Myanmar who have been residing in Malaysia since the 1980s. At present, there is no published information on health and nutritional status of refugee children
in Malaysia. This study was conducted to assess nutritional status of the Rohingya children aged
6 months to 12 years old (N=87) and to determine the associations between nutritional status with
socio-demographic, dietary diversity and health (birth weight, immunization and childhood illness)
variables. Children were measured for weight and height while their guardians were interviewed for
socio-demographic, dietary diversity and health information. About 27.5% of the Rohingya children
were underweight, 11.5% stunted, 16.1% thin and 12.6% at risk of overweight and overweight. The
percentage of children with low birth weight (< 2.5 kg) and no immunization was 17.8% and 11.5%,
respectively. Fever (67.8%) and flu (62.1%) were the most common childhood illnesses reported in
previous month with 44-75% of the children with these illnesses did not receive any medical treatment.
The mean dietary diversity score was 8.9+3.2 out of a possible 14, with a higher score indicating a
more diverse diet. There were significant correlations between frequency of immunization received
by the children with weight-for-age-z score (rs=0.27, p

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Nutritional status of children in Malaysia : persistence of old problems

Khor, Geok Lin

Malaysian Journal of Child Health, 1997;9(2):133-150.
MyJurnal

Serious protein-energy malnutrition and severe nutrient deficiencies affected children in poor rural communities and estates during the first half of the century until the 1960s or so. Since then, the nutritional status of children in Malaysia in general has imporved amidst active socioeconomic development and various intervention programmes that have been implemented. Nevertheless, results from studies undertaken in the 1990s indicate that certain old nutrition problems in children still persist. These include protein-energy malnutrition in the forms of underweight, stunting and wasting, as well as iron deficiency anaemia, worm infestation and iodine deficiency disorders. Meanwhile, there is an increase in the prevalence of overweight among urban children. This review discusses the prevalence of these issues in rural communities, estates, Orang Asli, and communities in Sarawak and Sabah.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Airway Relaxation Effects of Water-Soluble Sclerotial Extract From Lignosus rhinocerotis

Lee MK, Li X, Yap ACS, Cheung PCK, Tan CS, Ng ST, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:461.
PMID: 29867469 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00461

Lignosus rhinocerotis has a long history of use by the indigenous community within East Asia to treat a range of health conditions including asthma and chronic cough. To date, there is limited scientific evidence to support its therapeutic effects in relieving these airways conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of the different molecular weight fractions [high-molecular-weight (HMW), medium-molecular-weight (MMW), and low-molecular-weight (LMW)] obtained from the cold water sclerotial extract (CWE) of L. rhinocerotis on airways patency using airway segments isolated from Sprague Dawley rat in an organ bath set-up. It is demonstrated that the HMW and MMW fractions exhibited higher efficacy in relaxing the pre-contracted airways when compared to the CWE and LMW fraction. In addition, the HMW fraction markedly supressed carbachol-, 5-hydroxytrptamine-, and calcium-induced airway contractions. CWE demonstrated a lower efficacy than the HMW fraction but it also significantly attenuated carbachol- and calcium-induced airway contractions. Results showed that the bronchorelaxation effect of CWE and fractions is mediated via blockade of extracellular Ca2+ influx. The composition analysis revealed the following parts of carbohydrate and proteins, respectively: HMW fraction: 71 and 4%; MMW fraction: 35 and 1%; and LMW fraction: 22 and 0.3%. Our results strongly suggest that the polysaccharide-protein complex or proteins found in the HMW and MMW fractions is likely to contribute to the bronchorelaxation effect of CWE.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Altered body composition, sarcopenia, frailty, and their clinico-biological correlates, in Parkinson's disease

Tan AH, Hew YC, Lim SY, Ramli NM, Kamaruzzaman SB, Tan MP, et al.

Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2018 11;56:58-64.
PMID: 29914840 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.06.020

INTRODUCTION: Low body weight in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood despite the associated risks of malnutrition, fractures, and death. Sarcopenia (loss of muscle bulk and strength) and frailty are geriatric syndromes that are likewise associated with adverse health outcomes, yet have received scant attention in PD. We studied body composition, sarcopenia, frailty, and their clinico-biological correlates in PD.
METHODS: 93 patients and 78 spousal/sibling controls underwent comprehensive assessment of diet, clinical status, muscle strength/performance, frailty, body composition (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and serum levels of neurogastrointestinal hormones and inflammatory markers.
RESULTS: PD patients were older than controls (66.0 ± 8.5 vs. 62.4 ± 8.4years, P = 0.003). Mean body mass index (24.0 ± 0.4 vs. 25.6 ± 0.5kg/m2, Padjusted = 0.016), fat mass index (7.4 ± 0.3 vs. 9.0 ± 0.3kg/m2, Padjusted<0.001), and whole-body fat percentage (30.7 ± 0.8 vs. 35.7 ± 0.9%, Padjusted<0.001) were lower in patients, even after controlling for age and gender. There were no between-group differences in skeletal muscle mass index and whole-body bone mineral density. Body composition parameters did not correlate with disease duration or motor severity. Reduced whole-body fat percentage was associated with higher risk of motor response complications as well as higher levels of insulin-growth factor-1 and inflammatory markers. PD patients had a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (17.2% vs. 10.3%, Padjusted = 0.340) and frailty (69.4% vs. 24.2%, Padjusted = 0.010). Older age and worse PD motor severity were predictors of frailty in PD.
CONCLUSIONS: We found reduced body fat with relatively preserved skeletal muscle mass, and a high prevalence of frailty, in PD. Further studies are needed to understand the patho-mechanisms underlying these alterations.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Growth patterns of Palestinian children from birth to 24 months

Albelbeisi A, Shariff ZM, Mun CY, Abdul-Rahman H, Abed Y

East Mediterr Health J, 2018 Jun 10;24(3):302-310.
PMID: 29908026 DOI: 10.26719/2018.24.3.302

Background: Growth faltering in early life can adversely affect health in later childhood and adulthood. Growth monitoring of children can provide evidence to help formulate effective strategies to address growth problems but such information on Palestinian children is lacking.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the growth patterns of children under 2 years in Gaza, Palestine.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2014 in 10 randomly selected primary health care clinics in 5 governorates of Gaza. Weight and length data were obtained from the health cards of children born in 2012, and z-scores were calculated and compared with the WHO Growth Standard (2006).
Results: A total of 2 632 children's cards were included at the beginning of the study. Weight-for-age and weight-forlength decreased from birth to 6 months to about -0.40 SD but increased afterwards to -0.11 SD and 0.34 SD at 24 months respectively. Length-for-age declined after 6 months, reaching -0.85 SD at 24 months. At 6 months, the prevalence of underweight and stunting were 5% and 9% but at 24 months, the prevalence was 4% and 20% respectively. Wasting was highest at 6 months (10%) but decreased to 3% at 24 months. Significantly more girls were stunted at 9, 12 and 18 months (P < 0.001), underweight at 24 months (P < 0.05) and wasted at 12 months (P < 0.05). Early life faltering in length was more pronounced than weight, with stunting occurring in one fifth of boys and girls by 2 years of age.
Conclusions: Preventive strategies are urgently needed to address early life causes of undernutrition, particularly stunting, in Palestinian children in Gaza.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Epidemiology of tuberculosis and treatment outcomes among children in Pakistan: a 5 year retrospective study

Laghari M, Sulaiman SAS, Khan AH, Memon N

PeerJ, 2018;6:e5253.
PMID: 30065869 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5253

Background: Regardless of the advancement in medical technologies, the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children has remained a challenge. Childhood TB is rampant and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the trend of TB and treatment outcomes in children aged ≤14 years registered for TB treatment under DOTS course in three districts of Sindh, Pakistan.
Methods: For this retrospective study, records of TB children (≤14 years) registered for the treatment of TB from January 2011 to December 2015 in three districts of Pakistan, were collected. Demographic data, baseline weight, clinical manifestations, radiography, histopathology results and treatment outcomes were collected from TB unit registers.
Results: A total of 2,167 children were treated for TB during the study period. Of these, 1,199 (55.3%) were females and 1,242 (57.3%) were from urban areas. Over three-quarter of patients (76.9%) had pulmonary TB with 13.3% of sputum smear positive cases. The overall treatment success rate was 92.4%. In multivariate analysis, rural residents (OR: 2.146, p

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Total nucleated cell count and cd34+ cell is reduced in preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies: viable affix criteria for cord blood banking

Mohd Razif Mohd Idris, Fazlina Nordin, Fadilah Abd Wahid S, Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:2491-2499.

The aim of this study to determine the numbers of CD34+ cells and total nucleated cell (TNC) in umbilical cord blood (UCB)
collected from pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE), following statistical
analysis of both maternal and perinatal factors which affect UCB parameters. Most of studies explored the influence of
obstetric factors on the number of UCB cell collection and only a few looked at the effects on UCB haematopoietic stem
cell (UCB-HSC) of common disorders complicating pregnancy. A total of 112 UCB samples (32 PE, 42 GDM and 38 nondiseased) were collected. CD34+ cell and NC count were enumerated using FACS Calibur. The TNC and CD34+ cells were
significantly reduced in both PE and GDM groups as compared to the control group. The PE group shows significantly
lower birth weight and higher BP which led to a lower UCB volume and CD34+ count. Gestational age shows significant
correlation with nucleated cell count (NCC) and TNC. GDM group shows significantly lower systolic BP, NCC and TNC count,
including low placental weight and birth weight. Conclusively, some obstetrics factors have significant influences to the
numbers and quality of UCB-HSC in both PE and GDM groups, which could guide in the selection criteria for CB banking.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate intakes of underweight, normal weight and obese government office workers in an urban area

Arshad F, Nor IM, Ali RM, Hamzah F

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1996 Jun;5(2):88-91.
PMID: 24394516

Diet is one of the major factors contributing to the development of obesity, apart from heredity and energy balance. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to assess energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes in relation to bodyweight status among government office workers in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 185 Malay men and 196 Malay women aged 18 and above were randomly selected as the study sample. Height and weight were taken to determine body mass index (BMI). The dietary profile was obtained by using 24-hour dietary recalls and food frequency methods. This was analysed to determine average nutrient intake per day. Other information was ascertained from tested and coded questionnaires. The subjects were categorised into three groups of bodyweight status namely underweight (BMI < 20 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 20-25 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2). The prevalence of obesity was 37.8%. The study showed that the mean energy intake of the respondents was 1709 ± 637 kcal/day. The energy composition comprised of 55.7 ± 7.6% carbohydrates, 29.7 ± 21.7 % fat and 15.6 ± 3.8% protein. There was no significant difference in diet composition among the three groups. The findings indicate that normal weight and overweight individuals had a lower intake of calories and carbohydrates than the underweight individuals (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in fat intakes.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Fulltext Malnutrition and its risk factors among children 1-7 years old in rural Malaysian communities

Norhayati M, Noorhayati MI, Mohammod CG, Oothuman P, Azizi O, Fatimah A, et al.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1997 Dec;6(4):260-4.
PMID: 24394786

The aims of this study were to investigate the nutritional status of children aged 1-7 years in Malaysian rural communities and to identify its risk factors. In all, 221 children were assessed using anthropometric measurements, dietary questionnaires and other tools. Weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height were analysed. Based on the NCHS standards, the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 46.2%, 18.1% and 30.3% respectively. Almost one-third of the 1-2 years old groups were malnourished. Univariate analysis identified household income £ MR750.00 as a significant risk factor of stunting and wasting.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness
Relationship between anthropometric indicators and cognitive performance in Southeast Asian school-aged children

Sandjaja, Poh BK, Rojroonwasinkul N, Le Nyugen BK, Budiman B, Ng LO, et al.

Br J Nutr, 2013 Sep;110 Suppl 3:S57-64.
PMID: 24016767 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114513002079

Nutrition is an important factor in mental development and, as a consequence, in cognitive performance. Malnutrition is reflected in children's weight, height and BMI curves. The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association between anthropometric indices and cognitive performance in 6746 school-aged children (aged 6-12 years) of four Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia; Malaysia; Thailand; Vietnam. Cognitive performance (non-verbal intelligence quotient (IQ)) was measured using Raven's Progressive Matrices test or Test of Non-Verbal Intelligence, third edition (TONI-3). Height-for-age z-scores (HAZ), weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) and BMI-for-age z-scores (BAZ) were used as anthropometric nutritional status indices. Data were weighted using age, sex and urban/rural weight factors to resemble the total primary school-aged population per country. Overall, 21% of the children in the four countries were underweight and 19% were stunted. Children with low WAZ were 3·5 times more likely to have a non-verbal IQ < 89 (OR 3·53 and 95% CI 3·52, 3·54). The chance of having a non-verbal IQ < 89 was also doubled with low BAZ and HAZ. In contrast, except for severe obesity, the relationship between high BAZ and IQ was less clear and differed per country. The odds of having non-verbal IQ levels < 89 also increased with severe obesity. In conclusion, undernourishment and non-verbal IQ are significantly associated in 6-12-year-old children. Effective strategies to improve nutrition in preschoolers and school-aged children can have a pronounced effect on cognition and, in the longer term, help in positively contributing to individual and national development.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness/epidemiology
Fulltext A multidimensional assessment of nutritional and health status of rural elderly Malays

Shahar S, Ibrahim Z, Fatah AR, Rahman SA, Yusoff NA, Arshad F, et al.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2007;16(2):346-53.
PMID: 17468093

A multidimensional assessment of nutritional and health status comprised of subjective global assessment (SGA), anthropometry function, biochemistry, dietary intake, social and health aspects was carried out on 820 older people (52.8% men and 47.2% women) from four rural areas of Peninsular Malaysia. A proportion of the subjects had been classified as either overweight (25.7%) or chronic energy deficient (20.3%). Although 49% of subjects had normal body weight, 68.4% have been classified as having mild to moderate malnutrition according to the SGA. Only 1.1% and 2.3% had low serum albumin and ferritin, respectively. Almost 80% of subjects, especially men, were at high risk of cardiovascular diseases on the basis of the assessment of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. The majority of the subjects (87.2%) were fully independent in performing daily tasks, with men having a significantly higher score compared to women (p<0.001). However, men were less likely to be able to perform a flexibility test (50.7%) than were women (27.0%) (p<0.05). The mean energy intake for men (1412 +/- 461 kcal/d) and women (1201 +/- 392 kcal/d) were below the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) for Malaysia, although this is a difficult assertion to make in an age-group which generally experiences declining energy expenditure. Moreover, 52.5% of men and 47.5% of women might have underreported their food intake. Dietary micronutrients most likely to be deficient were thiamin, riboflavin and calcium. It is concluded that a substantial proportion of rural elderly Malays had problems related to both undernutrition and overnutrition. An appropriate nutrition intervention program is needed to improve the nutritional status of rural elderly Malays.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness/epidemiology
Fulltext Anemia among children aged 2-5 years in the Gaza Strip- Palestinian: a cross sectional study

El Kishawi RR, Soo KL, Abed YA, Wan Muda WA

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:319.
PMID: 25879619 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1652-2

Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide, with adverse consequences on child growth, development, and survival. This deficiency has affected approximately a quarter of the world population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and the associated factors among preschool children in the Gaza Strip.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness/epidemiology
The magnitude and trends of under- and over-nutrition in Asian countries

Ke-You G, Da-Wei F

Biomed Environ Sci, 2001 Jun;14(1-2):53-60.
PMID: 11594480

In order to understand the magnitude and trends of both under- and over-nutrition problems in Asian countries, we reviewed data available in a number of selected countries. In general, the prevalence of under-nutrition is declining in this region but is still heavy in many countries. The trends varied with complexity of individual countries. In China, the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 21.6%, 30.5% and 2.6% in children of 0-4 years old (90,662 subjects, 1987) . Another large-scale survey in 1992 (176,976 subjects) presented a prevalence of 17.1% , 33.5% and 4.5%, respectively. Recent studies showed a remarkable improvement in both underweight and stunting. The National Student Survey in 1995, however, showed that the prevalence of under-nutrition was 26.9% for schoolboys and 38.3% for schoolgirls (7-18 yr). There was an increase of 4.7% and 3 .5%, respectively, compared with the results of a similar survey conducted in 1985. The proportion of malnutrition in Chinese adults (BMI < 18.5) was 11.6% in 1982 and 9.0% in 1992 for urban areas, and 12.9% and 8.0% for rural areas, indicating a descending trend over the 10 years. The prevalence of underweight was the highest, over 50% among children below 6 years old, in both Bangladesh and India, between 50% and 20% in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, and below 20% in Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Fiji. It showed a declining trend from the 1970s to the 1990s with an average annual reduction of 0.8 to 1.9 percentage points in these countries. The problem of over-nutrition is emerging quickly in this region, not only in some better-off countries but also in countries in economy transition. In China, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in young adults (BMI > 25) was increased from 9.7% to 14.9% for urban areas and from 6.15% to 8.4% for rural areas in a 10-year period (1982 - 1992), and the prevalence of overweight jumped from 3.38% and 2.75% in 1985 to 7.18% and 8.65% in 1995 for schoolboys and schoolgirls. In India, the increase of overweight and obesity in female adults was 5.0 percentage points from 1989 to 1994. The prevalence of overweight was 24.5% for male and 21.4% for female in Japan (1995), and 28.7% and 26.0% in Malaysia (1990). These results indicate that over-nutrition is a growing problem in this region. Many Asian countries are facing double challenges. They have to deal with both under-nutrition and over-nutrition problems. Among many possible interventions, the further strengthening mass education on healthy diet practice should be emphasized.

Matched MeSH terms: Thinness/epidemiology

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