METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The scoping review was performed using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. The systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Pubmed, EBSCOHost and Google Scholar in April 2020, updated in March 2021. Only literature published between January 2010 until February 2021 was searched.
RESULTS: A total of 25 articles were included, of which 23 were randomised controlled trials , and 2 were quasi-experimental studies. Some of studies found improvements in depression (76% out of all studies). On this basis, nutrition or physical activity intervention probably improves postpartum depression. Moreover, the integration of nutrition and physical activity appears to improve depression in the more thorough follow-up of participants . Active involvement of the participant in the interventions was contributory to effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition and physical activity interventions with appropriate strategy and delivery are promising options for the management of postpartum maternal mental health. More definitive investigation of non-pharmacological interventions to ameliorate depression among postpartum women is warranted.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included healthy motherinfant pairs. Maternal diet during the last trimester was determined with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Infant respiratory morbidity was solicited at 1, 3 and 6 months.
RESULTS: Three hundred mother-baby pairs were recruited. Maternal consumption of milk and dairy products was associated with reduced respiratory symptoms at 1 month (aOR 0.29 [95% CI: 0.10, 0.86], p=0.03) and 3 months old (aOR 0.43 [95% CI: 0.20, 0.93], p=0.03), while intake of confectionery items was associated with increased unscheduled doctor visits at 3 months (aOR 2.01 [95% CI 1.33, 3.06], p=0.001) and increased nebuliser treatment at both 3 months (aOR 1.88 [95% CI 1.12, 3.17], p=0.02) and 6 months (aOR 1.64 [95% CI 1.05, 2.54], p=0.03). Finally, at 6 months, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was associated with increased nebuliser treatment (aOR 17.3 [95% CI 1.50, 199], p=0.02) while exclusive breastfeeding was associated with reduced incidence of respiratory symptoms (OR 0.47 [95% CI 0.26, 0.83], p=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Increased antenatal maternal consumption of milk and dairy products may reduce respiratory morbidity while increased consumption of confectionery items may increase respiratory morbidity in their infants during the first 6 months of life.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study and a total of 408 primary school-aged children (male: 72.3%; female: 27.7%), with a mean age of 9.68±1.48 years, were recruited from 10 urban-poor flats through cluster sampling at the central region of Malaysia. Their anthropometry, nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice, physical activity, dietary practices, and HRQoL were assessed.
RESULTS: A quarter (24.5%) of the urban-poor children were either overweight or obese in the present study. The HRQoL total score among the urban-poor children was 65.0±18.5. The result of multiple linear regression analysis shown that higher nutrition attitude (B=0.34, p=0.001) and practices (B=0.39, p=0.001), higher physical activity (B=3.73, p=0.004), higher lunch intake (B=1.35, p<0.001), lower supper intake (B=-1.35, p<0.001), and lower fast-food intake (B=-1.61, -1.17, p<0.001) are the significant predictors of better HRQoL among the urban-poor children (R2=0.32, F(8,399)=23.72, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should focus on these predictors to formulate interventions that could enhance the HRQoL among the Malaysian urban-poor children.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications in English focusing on but not limited to the use of the key words stated below.
RESULTS: Studies since the 1950s of different population groups worldwide affirmed the recognition that breastmilk fatty acid compositions are highly sensitive to maternal diet. Colostrum is richer in long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) metabolites of both linoleic and linolenic acids than mature milk. Among these LC-PUFA, both DHA and AA are incorporated preferentially and rapidly within the cerebral cortex and the retina during the last trimester of pregnancy and postnatal 18 months. Maternal supply of DHA and AA include maternal fatty acid stores, endogenous synthesis or directly from diet. Decreasing fish intake concomitant with increased intake of meat and vegetable oil leading to decreased intake of DHA and EPA, and an increase in AA intake, have resulted in an imbalanced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in breastmilk.
CONCLUSIONS: A balanced intake of PUFAs during pregnancy and lactation is recommended for fetal and childhood growth and development.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study comprised development and validation phases. In the development phase, 129 young adults from a public university in Klang Valley completed a 3-day food record (3DFR), and the data were used to create a food list for the FFQ. Two weeks later, in the validation phase, another 100 participants recruited from the same university completed the 3DFR and a newly developed FFQ for assessing consumption of 38 food items. Finally, the data obtained from the FFQ and 3DFR were used to analyze the nutrient intake of each participant, and the developed FFQ was validated using Spearman correla-tion coefficients (r) and Bland-Altman methods.
RESULTS: For the development phase, 38 food items were determined to contribute to 90% of the participants' total energy and macronutrient intake, and these items were included on the FFQ. For the validation phase, the average Spearman correlation coefficient for energy and all nutrients was 0.43, which indicated good agreement between the 3DFR and FFQ. Cross-classification analysis of the 3DFR and FFQ results revealed that 79% of the young adults were classified into similar or neighboring quartiles when each set of results was used. The Bland-Altman plots revealed that the results obtained using the two methods were parallel.
CONCLUSIONS: The FFQ is a simple and validated tool that can be self-administered to young adults to assess their energy and nutrient consumption.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Dietary intakes of vegetarians were assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire. Waist circumference of vegetarians was measured by using a Lufkin tape W606PM. Genotypes of the rs174547 of vegetarians were determined by using Agena® MassARRAY. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the interactions of the rs174547 with macronutrient on abdominal obesity.
RESULTS: About 1 in 2 vegetarians (51.5%) had abdominal obesity. Individuals with CT and TT genotype at T3 intake of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre as well as individuals with TT genotype at T2 intake of carbohydrates and protein had higher odds of abdominal obesity (pinteration <0.05). The gene-diet interaction remained significant for fibre intake (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.25-17.74, pinteraction=0.022) among vegetarians with TT genotype at T2 intake of fibre after adjusting for age and sex and considering the effects of ethnicity and food groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The rs174547 significantly interacted with fibre intake on abdominal obesity. A specific dietary fibre recommendation based on genetics is needed among Chinese and Indian middle-aged vegetarians.