Body mass status of school children and adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Lifestyle and disease patterns in Malaysia have changed following rapid economic development. It is important to find out how these changes have affected the nutritional status and health behaviour of the population, especially school children and adolescents. Therefore a survey on school children's and adolescents' health behaviours and perception in Kuala Lumpur was initiated. This paper only reports the observed body mass status of the school children. A total of 3620 school children were selected in this survey using the method of multi-stage sampling. The students were surveyed using pre-tested questionnaires while weight and height were measured by the research team in the field. Using the cut-off of BMI-for-age >or= 95th percentile and <5th percentile for overweight and underweight respectively, there were a total of 7.3% of overweight students and 14.8% of underweight students. When analysed by gender; 7.5% of boys and 7.1% girls were overweight, while 16.2% of the boys and 13.3% of the girls were underweight. The youngest age group (11 years old) had the highest prevalence of underweight as well as overweight. With increasing age, the prevalence of underweight and overweight decreased and more children were in the normal weight range. The overall prevalence of overweight among the three ethnic groups was similar. However the prevalence of underweight was highest among the Indian students (24.9%), followed by Malays (18.9%) and Chinese (9.5%) (P <0.001). The results showed that both the problems of under- and over-nutrition co-exist in the capital city of Malaysia. The promotion of healthy eating and physical activities is required to address the problems of under- and over-nutrition in order to build up a strong and healthy nation in the future.     

Metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents in Crete, Greece, and association with diet quality and physical fitness

Aim  To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents in Crete (Greece) and examine associations with diet quality and physical fitness. Subjects and Methods  A representative sample of 1,209 Cretan children and adolescents aged 3–17 1/2 years participated in this cross-sectional survey. The study took place in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools in the cities of Heraklion and Chania and kindergartens and schools in semi-urban and rural regions outside Heraklion. The metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥3 of: impaired fasting blood glucose, hypertension, abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, and low HDL-cholesterol. Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index score (USDA) and physical fitness by the 20-m shuttle run test. Results  Approximately 4% of Cretan children and adolescents assessed (4.2% of boys, 3.6% of girls) had three or more metabolic syndrome factors. Over 25% of the subjects had a “poor” diet, defined as Healthy Eating Index <51, and higher diet quality scores correlated with decreased mean body mass index, waist/height ratio, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and number of metabolic syndrome risk factors present. Clustering of metabolic syndrome risk factors was also associated with decreased physical fitness, as well as increased body mass index, waist/height ratio and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. Conclusions  Presence of three or more factors related to the metabolic syndrome was strongly associated with poor diet quality and low physical fitness, as well as overweight, in Cretan children and adolescents. Health promotion strategies in childhood should encourage weight control, the establishment of healthier dietary patterns, and adequate physical activity, as a means of preventing the increase in the prevalence of this public health issue.     

Prevalence, treatment and reinfection of intestinal helminths among schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The overall prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminths among 389 primary school-children attending four different schools in Kuala Lumpur was found to be 64.0%. The most common helminth parasite occurring among the children was Trichuris trichiura (53·7%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (37·5%) and hookworm (5·4%). There was one case of strongyloides, two cases of Hymenolepis nana and five cases of Enterobius vermicularis.All positive cases were treated with pyrantel pamoate administered as a single dose(10 mg/kg bodyweight). A cure rate of 89·7, 56·4 and 44·4% was achieved against Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm. The egg reduction rate was 96·7, 59·8 and 64·3% for Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm, respectively. There was no effect on Hymenolepis nana infection. The reinfection rate 15 weeks following treatment was also studied.     

The seroepidemiology of rubella in Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia

Rubella antibody rates in the female population of Kuala Lumpur were lower than those reported from temperate countries, though similar to rates found in other tropical countries excepting Singapore. Among the major ethnic groups, the immunity status of the Chinese was higher than that of the Malay and Indian groups.     

Carbon monoxide exposure assessment among toll operators in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to determine tollbooth carbon monoxide (CO) levels and carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels among the tollbooth operators and office workers in the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur. All tollbooths were equipped with well functioning air-conditioning. The total number of respondents was 180: 90 toll operators and 90 office workers aged between 19 and 52 years. The highest peak of CO level recorded was 61 ppm. The highest average peak CO level within a shift was 30 ppm. The CO level was higher during peak traffic at 6.00 - 8.00 a.m. There was no significant correlation between average peak CO level with vehicle load (r = -0.007, p = 0.474). The toll operators' median COHb level (1.0%, IQR = 0.8%) was significantly higher (p = 0.008) compared to office workers (0.7%, IQR = 0.8). There was a weak and significant correlation between COHb levels with average peak CO levels (r = 0.228, p = 0.031). In conclusion, tollbooth operators were chronically exposed to CO leading to higher COHb levels compared to office workers.     

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and its association with BMI-for-age among primary school children in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Background  

Deficiencies of micronutrients can affect the growth and development of children. There is increasing evidence of vitamin D deficiency world-wide resulting in nutritional rickets in children and osteoporosis in adulthood. Data on the micronutrient status of children in Malaysia is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and micronutrient status of primary school children in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.     

利用修订膳食平衡指数评价陕西省汉中农村地区居民膳食质量

目的：采用修订中国膳食平衡指数（DBI-07）评价陕西省汉中地区农村居民膳食质量,并探讨其影响因素。方法2010年采用半定量食物频率问卷对汉中地区18～80岁农村居民膳食进行横断面调查。采用DBI-07相关指标评价膳食质量;应用多因素线性回归方法,分析影响摄入不足和摄入过量的影响因素。结果共调查2241人,其中65%以上被调查村民的谷薯类、调味品摄入量平均水平超过推荐量;动物性食物、蛋奶类和蔬菜水果存在明显摄入不足。人群平均负端分（DBI_LBS）和正端分（DBI_HBS）分别为24.83和5.70,中度摄入不足（25≤DBI_LBS≤36）和摄入过量（14≤DBI_HBS≤19）的比例分别为33.4%和51.0%。家庭人口数、文化程度、财富指数、参加体育锻炼、劳动强度和已戒烟是摄入不足的保护因素（P＜0.05）;中等经济水平、饮酒（≥2次/周）、男性、年龄和吸烟（＞15支/日）是摄入过量的危险因素（P＜0.05）;家庭人口数和高中及以上学历是摄入过量的保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论陕西省汉中地区农村居民膳食结构不均衡,以摄入量不足为主,同时存在部分食物摄入过量,有必要在不同人群中开展有针对性的干预措施。     

成都市儿童青少年总体膳食质量与青春期发育关系

目的分析总体膳食质量与青春期发育的关系。方法采用分层整群抽样法抽取1549名成都市7~15岁儿童青少年作为调查对象,通过食物频率法收集调查对象过去一年各类食物摄入及饮食行为情况,按照儿童青少年膳食指数评分体系评价其总体膳食质量。同时采用现场观测和询问法收集调查对象的青春期发育情况。结果被调查人群男、女生膳食指数的平均得分分别为57.57±11.32分和59.73±11.50分。在男生中,高膳食质量组的初遗和变声的发生率最低;在女生中,高膳食质量组乳房发育处于B1期的人数所占比例最高,初潮发生率最低;发育程度越高,男、女生的膳食指数得分越低。结论儿童青少年的膳食总体质量与青春期发育存在一定程度的负相关,且膳食质量对女孩青春期发育的影响作用可能更大。     

The results of a worksite health promotion programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The worksite is one of the key channels for the delivery of interventions to reduce chronic diseases among adult populations. It provides easy and regular access to a relatively stable population and it encourages sustained peer support. This paper reports a 2-year follow-up of the impact of a worksite health promotion programme on serum cholesterol and dietary changes among employees in a city in Malaysia. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among Malay-Muslim male security guards, with those working in a public university in Kuala Lumpur comprising the intervention group, and those working in the teaching hospital of the same university as the comparison group. They were comparable in socio-demographic characteristics. The intervention group received intensive individual and group counselling on diet, physical activity and quitting smoking. The comparison group was given minimal education on the same lifestyle changes through mail and group counselling. The intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction in their mean total cholesterol levels as compared with the comparison group, with an intervention effect of -0.38 (95% CI = -0.63, -0.14) mmol/l. The intervention group also reported a reduction in the amount of cigarettes smoked. The worksite was shown to be an effective channel for health promotion. The adoption of the new lifestyle behaviours should be supported and sustained through modification of work policies.     

青春期女性节食行为及其影响因素调查

目的 :了解青春期女性节食行为状况及其相关影响因素 ,为对青春期女性进行营养教育提供依据。方法 :采用问卷调查的方法 ,对 6 85名 8～ 2 1岁青春期女性进行节食行为调查。结果 :青春期前、中、后期女性中发生节食的比例分别为 4 .9%、2 2 .6 %和 2 8.9% ,各年龄段发生节食的比例差异有显著性 (P<0 .0 5 )。调查还发现 ,节食与非节食的青春期女性对自身体形的认识的差异有显著性。结论 :部分青春期女性存在节食行为 ,应制定有效的营养教育措施 ,培养青春期女性健康的饮食行为。     

Resilience,decision-making and risk behaviours among early adolescents in Penang,Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The study sought to determine the relationship between resilience and risk behaviours among early adolescents with decision-making acting as a mediator. Seventh and Eighth Grade students (N = 65) were recruited at a high-needs school in Penang, Malaysia. All participants responded to the Child and Youth Resilience Measure and completed the computerized Balloon Analogue Risk Task-Youth Version. Participants’ Disciplinary Demerit Records were obtained as the measure of risk behaviours. Resilience and its three dimensions–individual, family, and contextual level factors–were analysed using bootstrapping and macro codes for SPSS. The results indicated that decision-making significantly mediated the association between resilience and risk behaviours among early adolescents. The relationship between contextual level factors and risk behaviours could be partially explained by decision-making. The findings suggest that adolescents should be taught decision-making skills early to minimize risk behaviours in daily life.     

Relationship between blood lead concentration and nutritional status among Malay primary school children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the relationship between blood lead concentration and nutritional status among primary school children in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 225 Malay students, 113 male and 112 female, aged 6.3 to 9.8 were selected through a stratified random sampling method. The random blood samples were collected and blood lead concentration was measured by a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The nutrient intake was determined by the 24-hour Dietary Recall method and Food Frequency Questionnaire. An anthropometric assessment was reported according to growth indices (z-scores of weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height). The mean blood lead concentration was low (3.4 +/- 1.91 ug/dL) and was significantly different between gender. Only 14.7% of the respondents fulfilled the daily energy requirement. The protein and iron intakes were adequate for a majority of the children. However, 34.7% of the total children showed inadequate intake of calcium. The energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate intakes were significantly different by gender, that is, males had better intake than females. Majority of respondents had normal mean z-score of growth indices. Ten percent of the respondents were underweight, 2.8% wasted and 5.4% stunted. Multiple linear regression showed inverse significant relationships between blood lead concentration with children's age (beta = -0.647, p < 0.001) and per capita income (beta = -0.001, p = 0.018). There were inverse significant relationships between blood lead concentration with children's age (beta = -0.877, p = 0.001) and calcium intake (beta = -0.011, p = 0.014) and positive significant relationship with weight-for-height (beta = 0.326, p = 0.041) among those with inadequate calcium intake. Among children with inadequate energy intake, children's age (beta = -0.621, p < 0.001), per capita income (beta = -0.001, p = 0.025) and protein intake (beta = -0.019, p = 0.027) were inversely and significantly related with blood lead concentration. In conclusion, nutritional status might affect the children's absorption of lead and further investigation is required for confirmation.     

Tuberculin skin testing among healthcare workers in the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the occupational risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) and to examine the utility of tuberculin skin testing in a developing country with a high prevalence of bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination. DESIGN: Tuberculin skin test (TST) survey. SETTING: A tertiary-care referral center and a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. PARTICIPANTS: HCWs from medical, surgical, and orthopedic wards. INTERVENTION: Tuberculin purified protein derivative RT-23 (State Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used for the TST (Mantoux method). RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven (52.1%) and 69 (26.2%) of the HCWs tested had indurations of 10 mm or greater and 15 mm or greater, respectively. Medical ward HCWs were at significantly higher risk of a positive TST reaction than were surgical or orthopedic ward HCWs (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.33 to 3.57; P = .002 for TST positivity at 10 mm or greater) (odds ratio, 2.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.44 to 4.70; P = .002 for TST positivity at 15 mm or greater). A previous TST was a significant risk factor for a positive TST reaction at either 10 mm or greater or 15 mm or greater, but a duration of employment of more than 1 year and being a nurse were only significantly associated with a positive TST reaction at a cut-off point of 15 mm or greater. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs at the University of Malaya Medical Centre had an increased risk for M. tuberculosis infection that was significantly associated with the level of occupational tuberculosis exposure. A TST cut-off point of 15 mm or greater may correlate better with M. tuberculosis infection than a cut-off point of 10 mm or greater in settings with a high prevalence of bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination.     

Parent healthful eating attitudes and motivation are prospectively associated with dietary quality among youth with type 1 diabetes

A family-based behavioral nutrition intervention grounded in social cognitive and self-determination theories showed an increased intake of whole plant foods. This study examined (1) whether the intervention changed parent diet-related attitudes/beliefs, (2) whether these attitudes/beliefs were associated with youth diet quality, and (3) the moderating roles of youth age and parent nutritional knowledge. Youth with type 1 diabetes and their parents (n = 136, mean ± SD youth age = 12.6 ± 2.8 years) participated in an 18-month trial targeting intake of whole plant foods. Parents reported attitudes/beliefs (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, perceived barriers, autonomous and controlled motivation) for providing healthy food to their families, and type 1 diabetes-specific nutrition knowledge at 6, 12, and 18 months. Whole Plant Food Density (WPFD; cup or ounce equivalents per 1000 kcal of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts,and seeds) was calculated from 3-day youth food records. Linear mixed models estimated the intervention effect on parent attitudes/beliefs, associations of parent attitudes/beliefs with youth WPFD, and the moderating roles of parent nutrition knowledge and youth age. There was no effect of the intervention on parent attitudes/beliefs. Across groups, higher parent self-efficacy and autonomous motivation were positively associated with youth WPF. Parent-perceived barriers and negative outcome expectations were inversely associated with youth WPFD, especially when parents had higher nutrition knowledge. Youth age did not modify any associations. Parent diet-related attitudes/beliefs were associated with youth diet quality, highlighting the importance of parent psychosocial factors across this age range. Despite a positive effect on youth diet, the intervention did not affect parent attitudes/beliefs, suggesting it worked through a different mechanism.     

Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with sexual activity among adolescents in Malaysia

Having a better understanding of the factors associated with sexual behaviour among adolescents is important as it may assist government in lowering the prevalence of teen pregnancy. The objective of the present study is to examine the effects of demographic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse with a focus on Malaysian adolescents. Using a nationally representative data collected by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the present study finds that age, self-rated academic performance, parents’ marital status, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking can significantly affect the sexual behaviour among adolescents. The present study concludes by discussing the policy implications of these findings. As a measure towards reducing underage sex, successful policies should be targeted primarily at adolescents who aged more than 16 years self-rate their academic performance as poor, have single parents, and adopt alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking behaviours.     

辽宁省本溪市青少年血压偏高现况及其影响因素分析

目的 了解2019年本溪市青少年血压偏高情况,并分析其影响因素,为防控青少年血压偏高制定相应的策略措施提供依据.方法 2019年9-10月,采用多阶段分层随机整群抽样的方法,在本溪市选择3 669名9～18岁青少年,并对其进行问卷调查.利用Logistic回归分析青少年血压偏高的影响因素.结果 共3 489名青少年完成...     

拉萨市藏族青少年父母教养方式及影响因素调查

目的调西藏自治区查拉萨市藏族青少年父母教养方式及影响因素。方法于2015年9—10月采取多阶段随机整群抽样方法,在西藏拉萨市抽取871名学生采用藏文版简式父母教养方式问卷进行调查。结果父亲与母亲的教养方式较为相似。随着年龄的增长被调查者体验到的拒绝更少,情感温暖更多(P <0.001)。离异者的孩子比已婚者的孩子体会到更多父亲(B=0.20)及母亲的拒绝(B=0.23),更少父亲的情感温暖(B=0.19)。女性比男性体会到更多父亲(B=0.13)及母亲的情感温暖(B=0.16)以及母亲的过度保护(B=0.12)。家庭月收入<1 000元的家庭及高收入家庭的孩子体会到更多的父母情感温暖。低月收入家庭的孩子体会到更多母亲的过度保护(P <0.05)。结论拉萨市青少年的父母教养方式与父母婚姻状况、孩子年龄、性别、家庭收入等有关。     

Prevalence of pregnancy experiences and contraceptive knowledge among single adults in a low socio-economic suburban community in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Background

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pregnancy experience and its association with contraceptive knowledge among single adults in a low socio-economic suburban community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012 among the Kerinchi suburban community. Of the total 3,716 individuals surveyed, young single adults between 18 and 35 years old were questioned with regard to their experience with unplanned pregnancy before marriage. Contraceptive knowledge was assessed by a series of questions on identification of method types and the affectivity of condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Results

A total of 226 female and 257 male participants completed the survey. In total, eight female (3.5%) participants reported experience with an unplanned pregnancy before marriage, and five male (1.9 %) participants had the experience of impregnating their partners. The participants had a mean total score of 3.15 (SD = 1.55) for contraceptive knowledge out of a possible maximum score of five. Female participants who had experienced an unplanned pregnancy had a significantly lower contraceptive knowledge score (2.10 ± 1.48) than who had never experienced pregnancy (3.30 ± 1.35), p<0.05. Likewise, male participants who had experienced impregnating their partners had a significantly lower contraceptive knowledge score (1.60 ± 1.50) than those who did not have such experience (3.02 ± 1.59), p<0.05.

Conclusion

The results showed evidence of premarital unplanned pregnancy among this suburban community. The low level of contraceptive knowledge found in this study indicates the need for educational strategies designed to improve contraceptive knowledge.