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  1. Mohamad MS, Mahadir Naidu B, Kaltiala R, Virtanen SM, Lehtinen-Jacks S
    Public Health Nutr, 2021 Dec;24(18):6309-6322.
    PMID: 34348828 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980021003190
    OBJECTIVE: To examine secular trends and sociodemographic determinants of thinness, overweight and obesity among Malaysian children and adolescents from 2006 to 2015.

    DESIGN: We used cross-sectional data from the National Health and Morbidity Surveys 2006, 2011 and 2015. Individuals were classified into pre- (6-9 years), early (10-13 years) and mid- (14-17 years) adolescence. BMI status was determined according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and WHO criteria, using measured height and weight. We analysed trends using log-binomial regression, by sex-age groups, stratified by sociodemographic factors (ethnicity, residential area, household size and household income), and accounting for the complex survey design. Associations between sociodemographic factors and prevalence of thinness and overweight (obesity included) in 2015 were assessed using log-Poisson regression.

    SETTING: Nationwide population-based surveys, Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: Eligible 6-17-year-olds from urban and rural residential areas (n 28 094).

    RESULTS: The prevalence of thinness decreased from 2006 to 2015 (IOTF: boys from 22 % to 18 %, girls from 23 % to 19 %; WHO: boys from 9 % to 7 %, girls from 8 % to 6 %), while the prevalence of overweight increased (IOTF: boys from 20 % to 26 %, girls from 19 % to 24 %; WHO: boys from 25 % to 31 %, girls from 22 % to 27 %). These changes were statistically significant in most sex-age groups. Thinness and overweight co-existed in all sociodemographic subgroups, with variation in the prevalence estimates, but similar secular changes in most subgroups.

    CONCLUSIONS: Malaysia is facing a double burden of malnutrition at population level with a secular increase in overweight and obesity and a gradual decrease in thinness among 6-17-year-olds from varying sociodemographic backgrounds.

  2. Mohamad MS, Mahadir Naidu B, Virtanen SM, Lehtinen-Jacks S, Abdul Maulud KN
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2023 Jan;35(1):34-41.
    PMID: 36321506 DOI: 10.1177/10105395221135407
    Evidence on the associations between built environment and overweight in children outside developed countries is scarce. We examined associations between access to local food and physical activity environments and overweight in 5- to 17-year-old Malaysians in two states with differing overweight levels. Information on children was measured in the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 and combined with Geographic Information System-derived data on local food and physical activity environments. Access to the built environment was measured by presence and distance from child's residence. Complete data were available for 880 children. Access to local food outlets and parks was higher and associated with higher occurrence of overweight in children living in the state with higher overweight prevalence. When adjusted for sociodemographic factors, higher presence of and shorter distance to convenience stores and parks were associated with overweight. Both built environment and children's sociodemographic backgrounds should be considered when planning interventions to curb the overweight epidemic in Malaysia.
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