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Fulltext Unhealthy Lifestyle Associated with Higher Intake of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Malaysian School-Aged Adolescents

Gan WY, Mohamed SF, Law LS

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 08 04;16(15).
PMID: 31382672 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152785

High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among adolescents has turned into a global concern due to its negative impact on health. This cross-sectional study determined the amount of SSB consumption among adolescents and its associated factors. A total of 421 adolescents aged 13.3 ± 1.3 years (41.8% males, 58.2% females) completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, screen-viewing behavior, sleep quality, frequency of eating at fast food restaurants, home food availability, peer social pressure, parenting practice, and SSB consumption. Weight and height were measured. Results showed that the mean daily consumption of SSBs among adolescents was 1038.15 ± 725.55 mL. The most commonly consumed SSB was malted drink, while the least commonly consumed SSB was instant coffee. The multiple linear regression results revealed that younger age (β = -0.204, p < 0.001), higher physical activity (β = 0.125, p = 0.022), higher screen time (β = 0.147, p = 0.007), poorer sleep quality (β = 0.228, p < 0.001), and unhealthy home food availability (β = 0.118, p = 0.032) were associated with a higher SSB intake. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle may help to reduce the excessive consumption of SSBs among adolescents.
Fulltext Higher Dietary Cost Is Associated with Higher Diet Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study among Selected Malaysian Adults

Pondor I, Gan WY, Appannah G

Nutrients, 2017 Sep 16;9(9).
PMID: 28926947 DOI: 10.3390/nu9091028

Food price is a determining factor of food choices; however its relationship with diet quality is unclear in Malaysia. This study aimed to examine socio-economic characteristics and daily dietary cost (DDC) in relation to diet quality in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and diet quality was estimated using a Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (M-HEI). DDC in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) was calculated from dietary intake and national food prices. Linear regression models were fitted to determine associations between DDC and M-HEI scores and predictors of diet quality. The mean M-HEI score of respondents was 61.31 ± 10.88 and energy adjusted DDC was RM10.71/2000 kcal (USD 2.49). The highest quintile of adjusted DDC had higher M-HEI scores for all respondents (Q1: 57.14 ± 10.07 versus Q5: 63.26 ± 11.54, p = 0.001). There were also positive associations between DDC and M-HEI scores for fruits (p < 0.001) and vegetables (p = 0.017) for all respondents. Predictors of diet quality included carbohydrate (β = 0290; p < 0.001) and fat intakes (β = -0.242; p < 0.001) and energy adjusted DDC (β = 0.196; p < 0.001). Higher dietary cost is associated with healthy eating among Malaysian adults.
Fulltext Social and Health Determinants of Quality of Life of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Malaysia

Lim SC, Chan YM, Gan WY

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023 Feb 23;20(5).
PMID: 36900997 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053977

Quality of life (QOL) of older adults is a complex issue that requires an understanding of the intersection between socioeconomic and health factors. A poor quality of life (QOL) is frequently reported as sub-optimal among older adults whereby concerted and collective actions are required through an evidence-based approach. Hence, this cross-sectional study aims to determine the social and health predictors of the QOL of a community-dwelling older adult Malaysian population through a quantitative household survey using multi-stage sampling. A total of 698 respondents aged 60 years old and older were recruited and the majority of them had a good quality of life. Risk of depression, disability, living with stroke, low household income, and lack of social network were identified as the predictors of a poor QOL among the community-dwelling older Malaysians. The identified predictors for QOL provided a list of priorities for the development of policies, strategies, programmes, and interventions to enhance the QOL of the community-dwelling older Malaysians. Multisectoral approaches, especially collective efforts from both social and health sectors, are required to address the complexities of the ageing issues.
Psychological distress as a mediator in the relationships between biopsychosocial factors and disordered eating among Malaysian university students

Gan WY, Mohd Nasir MT, Zalilah MS, Hazizi AS

Appetite, 2012 Dec;59(3):679-87.
PMID: 22885453 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2012.08.002

The mechanism linking biopsychosocial factors to disordered eating among university students is not well understood especially among Malaysians. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of psychological distress in the relationships between biopsychosocial factors and disordered eating among Malaysian university students. A self-administered questionnaire measured self-esteem, body image, social pressures to be thin, weight-related teasing, psychological distress, and disordered eating in 584 university students (59.4% females and 40.6% males). Body weight and height were measured. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that the partial mediation model provided good fit to the data. Specifically, the relationships between self-esteem and weight-related teasing with disordered eating were mediated by psychological distress. In contrast, only direct relationships between body weight status, body image, and social pressures to be thin with disordered eating were found and were not mediated by psychological distress. Furthermore, multigroup analyses indicated that the model was equivalent for both genders but not for ethnic groups. There was a negative relationship between body weight status and psychological distress for Chinese students, whereas this was not the case among Malay students. Intervention and prevention programs on psychological distress may be beneficial in reducing disordered eating among Malaysian university students.
Direct and indirect effects of sociocultural influences on disordered eating among Malaysian male and female university students. A mediation analysis of psychological distress

Gan WY, Mohd Nasir MT, Zalilah MS, Hazizi AS

Appetite, 2011 Jun;56(3):778-83.
PMID: 21435366 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.03.005

This study aimed to examine the role of psychological distress in the relationships between sociocultural influences (social pressure to be thin and weight teasing) and disordered eating. Data were collected from 584 university students (59.4% females and 40.6% males), aged 18-24 years old (M=20.6, SD=1.4), selected from four universities in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Participants completed four standardized questionnaires which measured social pressure to be thin, weight-related teasing, psychological distress and disordered eating. A good fit structural equation modeling (SEM) model was developed for both sexes. For males, the SEM model revealed that sociocultural influences showed an indirect effect on disordered eating through psychological distress. For females, the model showed an indirect effect of sociocultural influences on disordered eating through psychological distress, as well as a direct effect of sociocultural influences on disordered eating. In conclusion, psychological distress mediated the relationships between sociocultural influences and disordered eating in both males and females. Our results suggest that disordered eating intervention programs on reducing psychological distress in university students may be beneficial.
Fulltext Obesity and unhealthy lifestyle associated with poor executive function among Malaysian adolescents

Tee JYH, Gan WY, Tan KA, Chin YS

PLoS One, 2018;13(4):e0195934.
PMID: 29664932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195934

The understanding on the roles of obesity and lifestyle behaviors in predicting executive function of adolescents has been limited. Low executive function proficiency may have adverse effects on adolescents' school academic performance. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between BMI-for-age and multiple lifestyle behaviors (operationalized as meal consumption, physical activity, and sleep quality) with executive function (operationalized as inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) on a sample of Malaysian adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years (N = 513). Participants were recruited from two randomly selected schools in the state of Selangor in Malaysia. Using a self-administered questionnaire, parent participants provided information concerning their sociodemographic data, whereas adolescent participants provided information regarding their meal consumptions, physical activity, and sleep quality. The modified Harvard step test was used to assess adolescents' aerobic fitness, while Stroop color-word, digit span, and trail-making tests were used to assess adolescents' inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Three separate hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for each outcome namely, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. After adjusted for sociodemographic factors and BMI-for-age, differential predictors of inhibition and working memory were found. Habitual sleep efficiency significantly and positively predicted inhibition. Regular dinner intakes, physical activity levels, and sleep quality significantly and positively predicted working memory. Household income emerged as a consistent predictor for all executive function domains. In conclusion, an increased trend of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles among adolescents were found to be associated with poorer executive function. Regular dinner intakes, higher physical activity levels and better sleep quality predicted better executive function despite the inverse relationship between obesity and executive function. Future studies may explore how lifestyle modifications can optimize the development of executive function in adolescents as well as relieve the burden of obesity.
Fulltext Differences in eating behaviours, dietary intake and body weight status between male and female Malaysian University students

Gan WY, Mohd NM, Zalilah MS, Hazizi AS

Malays J Nutr, 2011 Aug;17(2):213-28.
PMID: 22303575 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: University students are potentially important targets for the promotion of healthy lifestyles as this may reduce the risks of lifestyle-related disorders later in life. This cross-sectional study examined differences in eating behaviours, dietary intake, weight status, and body composition between male and female university students.
METHODOLOGY: A total of 584 students (59.4% females and 40.6% males) aged 20.6 +/- 1.4 years from four Malaysian universities in the Klang Valley participated in this study. Participants completed the Eating Behaviours Questionnaire and two-day 24-hour dietary recall. Body weight, height, waist circumference and percentage of body fat were measured.
RESULTS: About 14.3% of males and 22.4% of females were underweight, while 14.0% of males and 12.3% of females were overweight and obese. A majority of the participants (73.8% males and 74.6% females) skipped at least one meal daily in the past seven days. Breakfast was the most frequently skipped meal. Both males and females frequently snacked during morning tea time. Fruits and biscuits were the most frequently consumed snack items. More than half of the participants did not meet the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) for energy, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron (females only), and calcium. Significantly more males than females achieved the RNI levels for energy, protein and iron intakes.
CONCLUSION: This study highlights the presence of unhealthy eating behaviours, inadequate nutrient intake, and a high prevalence of underweight among university students. Energy and nutrient intakes differed between the sexes. Therefore, promoting healthy eating among young adults is crucial to achieve a healthy nutritional status.
Fulltext Validity and reliability of the Multidimensional Body Image Scale in Malaysian university students

Gan WY, Mohd NM, Siti AH, Zalilah MS

Malays J Nutr, 2012 Dec;18(3):295-306.
PMID: 24568070 MyJurnal

This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Multidimensional Body Image Scale (MBIS), a seven-factor, 62-item scale developed for Malaysian female adolescents. This scale was evaluated among male and female Malaysian university students.
Fulltext Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and pubertal status with disordered eating among primary school children in Selangor, Malaysia

Chong LS, Chin YS, Gan WY, Nasir MT

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2017 Mar;26(2):326-333.
PMID: 28244713 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.012016.10

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and pubertal status with disordered eating among primary school children.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Using a stratified multi-stage sampling, a total of 816 children (282 boys and 534 girls) aged 10 to 11 years from 12 selected primary schools in the state of Selangor, participated in this study. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, pubertal status and disordered eating behaviors. The Pubertal Development Scale and the Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT) were used to assess pubertal status and disordered eating, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the risk factors of disordered eating.
RESULTS: The prevalence of disordered eating was 30.8% (32.8% in boys and 29.7% in girls). However, the sex difference in the prevalence was not statistically significant. Age, ethnicity and pubertal status were significantly associated with disordered eating in univariate logistic regression analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among boys, being either in an advanced or post-pubertal stage (adjusted OR=8.64) and older age group (adjusted OR=2.03) were risk factors of disordered eating. However, among girls, being a Malay (adjusted OR=3.79) or Indian (adjusted OR=5.04) in an advanced or post-pubertal stage (adjusted OR=2.34) and older age group (adjusted OR=1.53) were risk factors of disordered eating.
CONCLUSION: This study found one in three children had disordered eating. Since ethnicity and pubertal status were identified as risk factors, ethnicity-specific intervention programs on the prevention of disordered eating among children should take into consideration their pubertal status.
Fulltext Comparisons of body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and a body shape index (ABSI) in predicting high blood pressure among Malaysian adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Tee JYH, Gan WY, Lim PY

BMJ Open, 2020 01 12;10(1):e032874.
PMID: 31932391 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032874

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of different anthropometric indices including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and a body shape index to predict high blood pressure (BP) in adolescents using the 90th and 95th percentiles as two different thresholds.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Probability proportionate to size was used to randomly select two schools in Selangor state, Malaysia.
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 513 adolescents (58.9% women and 41.1% men) aged 12-16 years were recruited.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, height, WC and BP of the adolescents were measured. The predictive power of anthropometric indices was analysed by sex using the receiver operating characteristic curve.
RESULTS: BMI and WHtR were the indices with higher areas under the curve (AUCs), yet the optimal cut-offs to predict high BP using the 95th percentile were higher than the threshold for overweight/obesity. Most indices showed poor sensitivity under the suggested cut-offs. In contrast, the optimal BMI and WHtR cut-offs to predict high BP using the 90th percentile were lower (men: BMI-for-age=0.79, WHtR=0.46; women: BMI-for-age=0.92, WHtR=0.45). BMI showed the highest AUC in both sexes but had poor sensitivity among women. WHtR presented good sensitivity and specificity in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that WHtR might be a useful indicator for screening high blood pressure risk in the routine primary-level health services for adolescents. Future studies are warranted to involve a larger sample size to confirm these findings.
Qualitative study on identification of common coping strategies practised by Indigenous Peoples (Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia during periods of food insecurity

Law LS, Norhasmah S, Gan WY, Mohd Nasir MT

Public Health Nutr, 2018 Oct;21(15):2819-2830.
PMID: 29976262 DOI: 10.1017/S136898001800160X

OBJECTIVE: To examine the types of coping strategies practised by Indigenous women or Orang Asli (OA) in Peninsular Malaysia during times of food shortage and to determine the level of severity for food insecurity that will trigger each specific coping strategy.
DESIGN: A qualitative case study was conducted. Pertinent information about each type of coping strategy was gathered by in-depth interviews. To gauge the level of severity for each of the coping strategies, focus group discussions (FGD) were held. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.
SETTING: OA villages in the states of Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Selangor, Malaysia.
SUBJECTS: Sixty-one OA women from three ethnic groups (Senoi, Proto-Malay and Negrito) for in-depth interviews and nineteen OA women from the Proto-Malay ethnic group for three FGD.
RESULTS: The findings identified twenty-nine different coping strategies and these were divided into two main themes: food consumption (sub-themes of food consumption included dietary changes, diversification of food sources, decreasing the number of people and rationing) and financial management (sub-themes of financial management included increasing household income, reducing expenses for schooling children and reducing expenses on daily necessities). Three levels of severity were derived: less severe, severe and very severe.
CONCLUSIONS: This information would enable local authorities or non-governmental organisations to more precisely target and plan interventions to better aid the OA communities needing assistance in the areas of food sources and financial management.
Mother-infant postnatal experience and its association with maternal emotion and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic

Nasri NM, Gan WY, Mohd Shukri NH

J Reprod Infant Psychol, 2024 Feb 26.
PMID: 38407161 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2314187

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a partial lockdown in Malaysia known as Movement-Controlled-Order (MCO), which has affected primary care management and social life norms. Thus, psychological health is a concern for mothers, particularly during the postpartum period. This study aimed to determine factors associated with maternal emotional experiences and coping during the pandemic.
METHODOLOGY: Mothers of infants aged
Fulltext Industrial practitioner's perception on the application of exoskeleton system in automotive assembly industries: A Malaysian case study

Gan WY, Raja Ghazilla RA, Yap HJ, Selvarajoo S

Heliyon, 2024 Feb 29;10(4):e26183.
PMID: 38404870 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26183

The automotive industry is a key manufacturing industry for the Malaysian economy, where manual jobs and task are still common. Hence, Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) is a common type of injury among workers. Exoskeleton system has gained global traction as a possible solution to reduce the risk of MSD among workers. Nonetheless, the application of exoskeleton in the automotive industry in Malaysia remains unknown. As such, this study attempts to provide insight into the industry's perception on the potential of exoskeleton application within the context of Malaysian automotive assembly sector. Therefore, a total of 52 management level respondents from various manufacturers participated in this study. It is found that, although the technology seems to be relatively new and disruptive, the respondents have a positive perception towards it with an acceptance rate of 86.5%. Cost of implementation exoskeleton technologies seems to be primary concern from the respondents, other concern such as maintenance cost and ease of application into existing application is also highlighted.
Fulltext Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and factors associated with Its intensity among undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study

Habibi N, Huang MS, Gan WY, Zulida R, Safavi SM

Pain Manag Nurs, 2015 Dec;16(6):855-61.
PMID: 26328887 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2015.07.001

Primary dysmenorrhea is a womanhood problem around the world and negatively affects quality of life. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and to determine the factors associated with its intensity. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 311 undergraduate female students aged 18 to 27 years in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Socio-demographic characteristics and menstrual factors were obtained through interviews with the help of a pretested questionnaire. The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 89.1%. Residing at home, younger age, lower number of years of formal education for the mother, positive family history of dysmenorrhea, higher severity of bleeding, and shorter menstrual period intervals were significantly associated with the higher intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a common health concern among young women. Being aware of the factors that are associated with its intensity makes it possible for health professionals to organize better focused programs to reduce the adverse effects of dysmenorrhea.
Fulltext Sociodemographic, nutritional, and environmental factors are associated with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Malaysia

Murtaza SF, Gan WY, Sulaiman N, Mohd Shariff Z, Ismail SIF

PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0219841.
PMID: 31306442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219841

Children aged 2 to 6 years are in a crucial period of growth development, during which it is important for them to attain specific cognition related to concentration and attention so that they can perform well in school later in life. Various factors influence children's cognition during this crucial period. However, to date, only a limited number of studies have examined the cognitive performance of underprivileged children living in poverty, particularly indigenous children (also known as Orang Asli children in Malaysia). Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations between sociodemographic factors, nutritional factors (body composition and hemoglobin), and environmental factors (home environment and parasitic infections) with cognitive performance among Orang Asli children in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The participants were 269 children (51% boys, 49% girls) aged 2 to 6 years (M = 4.0, SD = 1.2 years) and their mothers, from 14 Orang Asli villages. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers, and the children's cognitive performance, operationalized as working memory index (WMI), processing speed index (PSI), and cognitive proficiency index (CPI), was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). The children's weight and height were measured, and their blood and stool samples were collected to assess hemoglobin level and parasitic infections, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the father's years of education (β = 0.262-0.342, p < 0.05), availability of learning materials at home (β = 0.263-0.425, p < 0.05), and responsiveness of the parent to the child (β = 0.192-0.331, p < 0.05) were consistently associated with all three cognitive indices (WMI, PSI, and CPI). A holistic approach involving parents, communities, and government agencies should be established to improve the cognitive performance of these underprivileged children.
Fulltext Comparisons of conventional and novel anthropometric obesity indices to predict metabolic syndrome among vegetarians in Malaysia

Ching YK, Chin YS, Appukutty M, Gan WY, Chan YM

Sci Rep, 2020 11 30;10(1):20861.
PMID: 33257810 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78035-5

Our study aimed to compare the ability of anthropometric obesity indices to predict MetS and to determine the sex-specific optimal cut-off values for MetS among Malaysian vegetarians. Body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), fasting venous blood sample were collected from 273 vegetarians in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The abilities of body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), waist to height ratio (WHtR), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), a body shape index (ABSI), and body roundness index (BRI) to identify MetS were tested using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. MetS was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement 2009. The ROC curve analyses show that BMI, BF%, WHtR, LAP and VAI were able to discriminate MetS in both sexes. LAP was a better predictor to predict MetS, followed by WHtR for male and female vegetarians. The suggested WHtR's optimal cut-offs and LAP's optimal cut-offs for MetS for male and female vegetarians were 0.541, 0.532, 41.435 and 21.743, respectively. In conclusion, LAP was a better predictor to predict MetS than other anthropometric obesity indices. However, WHtR could be an alternative obesity index in large epidemiology survey due to its convenient and cost-effective characteristics.
Fulltext The Relationships between a Dietary Pattern Linked to Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Life Satisfaction in Early Adolescence

Appannah G, Emi NA, Gan WY, Mohd Shariff Z, Shamsuddin NH, Anuar Zaini A, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 07 29;17(15).
PMID: 32751389 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155489

Little is known about the contribution of dietary patterns of poor quality on life satisfaction among Malaysian children. We evaluated associations between an empirically derived "high sugar, high fibre, high dietary energy dense (DED) and low fat" dietary pattern and life satisfaction score in adolescents. A total of 548 adolescents aged 13 years were recruited from randomly selected public schools located in three southern states of Peninsular Malaysia. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) while life satisfaction was measured using a Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS). Z-score for a "high sugar, high fibre, high DED and low fat" dietary pattern was estimated by applying reduced rank regression analysis. Relationships between the dietary pattern and life satisfaction scores were assessed using regression models. Mean and SD of life satisfaction score was higher in girls (70.5 (12.8)) compared to boys (67.6 (15.4)), p < 0.05. The overall life satisfaction score (β = -0.119; 95% CI: -0.125, -0.004) was inversely associated with dietary pattern z-score as well as scores for self (β = -0.13; 95% CI: -0.170, -0.015) and living environment (β = -0.12; 95% CI: -0.163, -0.007) domains in girls. An opposite trend was observed for school domain in boys whereby an increasing dietary pattern score was positively associated with increasing life satisfaction score (β = 0.216; 95% CI: 0.054, 0.36). The finding of this study highlights the role of free sugar and DED particularly, within the framework of whole diet, and target population at risk to improve life satisfaction among adolescents.
Factors associated with autism severity among Malaysian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Eow SY, Gan WY, Lim PY, Awang H, Mohd Shariff Z

Res Dev Disabil, 2020 May;100:103632.
PMID: 32179381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103632

BACKGROUND: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) of different levels of symptom severity may exhibit a wide range of behaviours and characteristics. There is a limited nutrition-related study on children with ASD of different severity in Malaysia.
AIMS: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the association between sociodemographic factors, parental factors, and lifestyle factors with autism severity in children with ASD.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 224 children with ASD were included in this study. Their mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, autism severity, parenting style, parental feeding practices, parenting stress, child's sleep habits and eating behaviours.
OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: As high as 78.1 % of the children with ASD demonstrated a high level of autism severity. Multiple linear regression showed that father's employment status (B = 6.970, 95 % CI = 3.172, 10.768, p 
Parental Feeding Practices and Child-Related Factors are Associated with Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Eow SY, Gan WY, Lim PY, Awang H, Mohd Shariff Z

J Autism Dev Disord, 2021 Aug 28.
PMID: 34453670 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05247-7

Atypical eating behaviors displayed by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) predispose them to unhealthy weight gain. We determined the factors associated with body weight status among 261 children with ASD (3-18 years) at nine autism intervention centers. Their mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic background, parenting style, parental feeding practices, parenting stress, sleep habits, eating behaviors, and autism severity. Children with older age, non-full term gestational age, high maternal perceived weight, high maternal concern about child weight, and low pressure to eat were more likely to be overweight and obese. Obesity is a major concern among children with ASD. Healthy weight management programs for parents should incorporate appropriate feeding practices and a healthy perception of body weight.
Fulltext Early nutrition, growth and cognitive development of infants from birth to 2 years in Malaysia: a study protocol

Nurliyana AR, Mohd Shariff Z, Mohd Taib MN, Gan WY, Tan KA

BMC Pediatr, 2016 Sep 29;16(1):160.
PMID: 27687906

The first 2 years of life is a critical period of rapid growth and brain development. During this period, nutrition and environmental factors play important roles in growth and cognitive development of a child. This report describes the study protocol of early nutrition, growth and cognitive development of infants from birth to 2 years of age.

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