The aim of this study was to determine the specific content and type of sugars in selected commercial and traditional kuih in Klang Valley. The selection of the kuih was based on the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for sugar. The selected commercial kuih was doughnut coated with sugar (Big Apple) while the ten traditional kuih samples consisted of kuih bingka ubi, kuih kasui, kuih keria, kuih koci, kuih lapis, kuih lopes, kuih onde-onde, kuih sagu, kuih seri muka and kuih talam. The doughnut coated with sugar (Big Apple) was purchased from Big Apple Donuts and Coffee franchise at two different locations, while the traditional kuih were randomly bought from stalls, cafeterias and restaurants around Kuala Lumpur and Rawang. The types and amount of sugar were determined using High Performance High Chromatography (HPLC) with a refractive index (RI) detector. Results showed that doughnut coated with sugar (Big Apple) has the highest starch content (22.6±0.3 g/100g) and kuih keria contained the highest available carbohydrate (41.5±1.7 g/100g), comprising of 24.2±2.4 g/100g total sugar and 17.3±0.7 g/100g of starch. The least available carbohydrate content was found in kuih talam (20.0±0.5 g/100g), which was 50% lower than the one in kuih keria. Major individual sugars detected in all kuih samples were consisted of sucrose (60.0%), glucose (16.2%), fructose (14.0%), maltose (9.5%) and lactose (0.3%). Majority of the kuih samples (90.9%) in this study can be categorized as medium sugar while only kuih keria was categorized as high sugar. Based on the two main ingredients (sugar and flour) used in the preparation of kuih, results showed that all kuih samples can be categorized as medium sugarmedium starch. In conclusion, this study served as a guideline by locals in selecting kuih of
different sugar levels.
Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2
diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low glycaemic index (GI) diets improve
cardio-metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant individuals. We examined the
feasibility of lowering GI through GI-based-education among Asian post-GDM
women. Methods: A 3-month investigation was carried out on 60 Malaysian
women with a mean age of 31.0±4.5 years and a history of GDM. Subjects were
randomised into two groups: LGIE and CHDR. The CHDR group received
conventional healthy dietary recommendations only. The LGIE group received
GI based-education in addition to conventional healthy dietary recommendations.
At baseline and after 3-months, dietary intake of energy and macronutrient
intakes including GI diet and glycaemic load was assessed using 3-day food
records. Diabetes-Diet and GI-concept scores and physical activity levels were
assessed using a questionnaire. Adherence to dietary instructions was measured
at the end of 3 months. Results: At the end of 3 months, the LGIE group had
significant reductions in energy intake (241.7±522.4Kcal, P=0.037, ES=0.463), total
carbohydrate (48.7±83.5g, P=0.010, ES=0.583), GI (3.9±7.1, P=0.017, ES=0.549) and
GL (39.0±55.3, P=0.003, ES=0.705) and significant increases in protein (3.7±5.4g,
0.003, ES=0.685) and diet fibre (4.6±7.3g, P=0.06). The CHDR group had a significant
reduction in fat only (5.7±9.4g, P=0.006, ES=0.606). There was a 30% increase in
GI-concept scores in the LGIE group (p< 0.001). Changes in GI-concept scores
correlated significantly to the reduction in dietary GI (r = -0.642, P=0.045). Dietary
adherence was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: GI-education improves
GI-concept knowledge and helps lower dietary glycaemic index among women
with a history of GDM.
Keywords: Diet, gestational diabetes mellitus, glycaemic index, glycaemic load,
prevention, type 2 diabetes
This study aimed to measure the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of elite athletes and develop a gender specific predictive equation to estimate their energy requirements.
The present study aimed to report the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) and to explore the associations among socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional status and inflammation status in the occurrence of anaemia and ID in a nationally representative sample of Malaysian primary schoolchildren. Using data from the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS), 544 Malaysian children aged 7 to 12 years were included in this secondary analysis. Blood samples were drawn for haemoglobin and serum ferritin analysis while C-reactive protein (CRP) and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) were measured to detect inflammation. Prevalence of anaemia and ID were 4.0% and 5.2%, respectively. There were significantly more anaemic indigenous bumiputra children (9.9%) than Chinese children (0.6%). Correction for inflammation did not change the prevalence of ID. More overweight/obese children than thin/normal weight children were found to have elevated acute phase protein (APP). Children with elevated inflammatory markers had significantly higher ferritin level than children without inflammation. Periodic health assessments of anaemia and ID at the population level to monitor and clarify the epidemiology of health problems are required to inform public health policies and strategies.
The dual burden of malnutrition reportedly coexists in Malaysia; however, existing data are scarce and do not adequately represent the nutritional status of Malaysian children. The Nutrition Survey of Malaysian Children was carried out with the aim of assessing the nutritional status in a sample of nationally representative population of children aged 6 months to 12 years. A total of 3542 children were recruited using a stratified random sampling method. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, and waist and hip circumferences. Blood biochemical assessment involved analyses of Hb, serum ferritin, and vitamins A and D. Dietary intake was assessed using semi-quantitative FFQ, and nutrient intakes were compared with the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI). The prevalence of overweight (9·8%) and obesity (11·8%) was higher than that of thinness (5·4%) and stunting (8·4%). Only a small proportion of children had low levels of Hb (6·6%), serum ferritin (4·4%) and vitamin A (4·4%), but almost half the children (47·5%) had vitamin D insufficiency. Dietary intake of the children was not compatible with the recommendations, where more than one-third did not achieve the Malaysian RNI for energy, Ca and vitamin D. The present study revealed that overnutrition was more prevalent than undernutrition. The presence of high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and the inadequate intake of Ca and vitamin D are of concern. Hence, strategies for improving the nutritional status of Malaysian children need to consider both sides of malnutrition and also put emphasis on approaches for the prevention of overweight and obesity as well as vitamin D insufficiency.