METHODS: In this cross sectional study, body composition data (weight, height, body fat percentage [% fat], fat mass, fat free mass, visceral fat, waist circumference [WC] and body mass index-for-age [BMI z-score]) and bone health data (Z-score and broadband ultrasound attenuation [BUA]) were collected from 415 schoolchildren aged 9-12 years, cluster sampled from randomly selected primary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
RESULTS: Girls generally had significantly higher height, body fat percentage, fat mass, visceral fat and Z-score as compared to boys. A steady increase of the mean BUA value was observed with increasing age in both sexes. The mean BUA value of the present study across the population was significantly higher than that of schoolchildren from Nigeria (p < 0.001), Colombia (p < 0.001) and Spain (p = 0.002). Significant positive correlations were found between all the body composition variables and bone outcome variables across the population. Further, BUA was significantly correlated with weight (β = 0.172; p = 0.001), height (β = 0.299; p < 0.001), % fat (β = 0.131; p = 0.007), fat mass (β = 0.130; p = 0.007), fat free mass (β = 0.209; p < 0.001), visceral fat (β = 0.127, p = 0.008), WC (β = 0.165; p = 0.001) and BMI z-score (β = 0.162; p = 0.001), after controlling for sex, age and ethnicity. Similarly, after confounders adjusted, Z-score was significantly predicted by weight (β = 0.160; p = 0.001), height (β = 0.310; p < 0.001), % fat (β = 0.104; p = 0.032), fat mass (β = 0.107; p = 0.026), fat free mass (β = 0.218; p < 0.001), visceral fat (β = 0.107, p = 0.026), WC (β = 0.145; p = 0.002) and BMI z-score (β = 0.150; p = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have revealed that body composition variables were positive correlated with bone outcome variables, suggesting that adipose tissue acts to stimulate bone growth. Further clinical and molecular studies in the future is recommended to fully illustrate the complex interactions between adiposity and bone health.
METHODOLOGY: Parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD attending the University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) were recruited between June to August 2022 and the administered Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) self-report short form, Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale (performance section), and Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS).
RESULTS: Forty-five children with ADHD were recruited and 15 out of 45 (33%) parents were detected to have ADHD. ADHD severity was worse in children with ADHD parents for total severity (mean of 34.67 vs. 29.13, p = 0.047) and difficult behaviours at home (mean of 7.87 vs. 6.27, p = 0.036). The children's academic performance and behavioural challenges at home and school were positively correlated with the parental ADHD scores for 'inattention' and 'problems with self-care' subscales.
CONCLUSIONS: A total of 33% of ADHD children had parents with ADHD. ADHD children with ADHD parents were more likely to have behavioural problems at home and more severe ADHD. However, no statistical significance was noted with medication adherence.