An introduction to the My Body is Fit and Fabulous at home (MyBFF@home): a community-based weight loss intervention study among Malaysian housewives

Background

The national prevalence of overweight and obesity in Malaysia has been increasing in the past 10 years and many efforts have been implemented by the Malaysian government to combat obesity problem among the Malaysian population. The aim of this paper was to describe the background of the My Body is Fit and Fabulous at home (MyBFF@home) study (Phase II).

Discussion

The MyBFF@home (Phase II) was a quasi-experimental study and it was conducted among overweight and obese housewives living in the urban areas in Malaysia. In this phase, the study involved a weight loss intervention phase (6 months) and a weight loss maintenance phase (6 months). The intervention group received a standard weight loss intervention package and the control group received group seminars related to women’s health. Measurements of weight, height, waist circumference, body composition, fasting blood lipids, dietary intake, physical activity, health literacy, body pain and quality of life were conducted during the study. Overweight and obese housewives from 14 People’s Housing/Home Project (PHP) in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (Klang Valley) were selected as control and intervention group (N?=?328). Majority of the participants (76.1%) were from the low socioeconomic group. Data were analysed and presented according to the specific objectives and the needs for the particular topic in the present supplement report.

Conclusion

MyBFF@home is the first and the largest community-based weight loss intervention study which was conducted among overweight and obese housewives in Malaysia. Findings of the study could be used by the policy makers and the researchers to enhance the obesity intervention programme among female adults in Malaysia.

     

Comparison between self-reported physical activity (IPAQ-SF) and pedometer among overweight and obese women in the MyBFF@home study

Background

Several methods have been developed to determine a person’s physical activity level. However, there is limited evidence in determining whether someone is physically active or not. This study aims to determine the level of physical activity and to compare the usage of short version International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and pedometer among overweight and obese women who were involved in the My Body is Fit and Fabulous at home (MyBFF@home) study.

Methods

Baseline and sixth month data from the MyBFF@home study were used for this purpose. A total of 169 of overweight and obese respondents answered the IPAQ-SF and were asked to use a pedometer for 7 days. Data from IPAQ-SF were categorised as inactive and active while data from pedometer were categorised as insufficiently active and sufficiently active by standard classification. Data on sociodemographic and anthropometry were also obtained. Cohen’s kappa was applied to measure the agreement of IPAQ-SF and pedometer in determining the physical activity level. Pre-post cross tabulation table was created to evaluate the changes in physical activity over 6 months.

Results

From 169 available respondents, 167 (98.8%) completed the IPAQ-SF and 107 (63.3%) utilised the pedometer. A total of 102 (61.1%) respondents were categorised as active from the IPAQ-SF. Meanwhile, only 9 (8.4%) respondents were categorised as sufficiently active via pedometer. Cohen’s κ found there was a poor agreement between the two methods, κ?=?0.055, p?>?0.05. After sixth months, there was +?9.4% increment in respondents who were active when assessed by IPAQ-SF but ??1.3% reductions for respondents being sufficiently active when assessed by pedometer. McNemar’s test determined that there was no significant difference in the proportion of inactive and active respondents by IPAQ-SF or sufficiently active and insufficiently active by pedometer from the baseline and sixth month of intervention.

Conclusion

The IPAQ-SF and pedometer were both able to measure physical activity. However, poor agreement between these two methods were observed among overweight and obese women.

     

Chondrosarcoma of the mandible: a case report

Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumours of cartilaginous origin. They range from a well-differentiated growth resembling a benign cartilage tumour to a high-grade malignancy with aggressive local behaviour and the potential to metastasize. Only 5% to 10% of chondrosarcomas are known to occur in the head and neck region. A case of chondrosarcoma of the anterior region of the mandible is presented, along with a review of the relevant literature.     

The lateral edge and sourcil acetabular indices for surgical decision-making in developmental dysplasia of the hip

PurposeThe acetabular index (AI) is a radiographic measure that guides surgical decision-making in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Two AI measurement methods are described; to the lateral edge of the acetabulum (AI-L) and to the lateral edge of the sourcil (AI-S). The purpose of this study was to determine the level of agreement between AI-L and AI-S on the diagnosis and degree of acetabular dysplasia in DDH.MethodsA total of 35 patients treated for DDH with Pavlik harness were identified. The AI-L and AI-S were measured on radiographs (70 hips) at two and five years of age. AI-L and AI-S were then transformed relative to published normative data (tAI-L and tAI-S). Bland-Altman plots, linear regression and heat mapping were used to evaluate the agreement between tAI-L and tAI-S.ResultsThere was poor agreement between tAI-S and tAI-L on the Bland-Altman plots with wide limits of agreement and no proportional bias. The two AI measurements were in agreement as to the presence and severity of dysplasia in only 63% of hips at two years of age and 81% at five years of age, leaving the remaining hips classified as various combinations of normal, mildly and severely dysplastic.ConclusionAI-L and AI-S have poor agreement on the presence or degree of acetabular dysplasia in DDH and cannot be used interchangeably. Clinicians are cautioned to prudently evaluate both measures of AI in surgical decision-making.Level of evidenceI     

Organ donation and transplant: The Islamic perspective

Islam is the second most practiced religion globally, and the number of Muslims in Western countries has been increasing due to recent trends in migration. Studies have shown that Muslims in the Western world have more negative attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation compared with individuals from other religious backgrounds. Multiple barriers have been postulated that may prevent Muslims from exploring organ donation or transplantation. We conducted a literature review with the goal of summarizing the opinions of major Sunni and Shia scholars and Islamic bodies about organ donation and transplantation, including their opinions and rulings on the neurological determination of death to inform healthcare professionals, community members, and leaders. We also identified factors and attitudes that may prevent members of the Muslim community from achieving equitable access to transplantation or from consenting to donate organs during life or after death. Key factors or concerns identified included: lack of information regarding organ donation, mistrust of the healthcare system, family opinions, sacredness of the body, lack of clear understanding of religious rulings, and opinions of religious leaders. Studies have suggested that partnering with religious leaders to address these concerns may help foster positive attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation.     

Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy in the Management of Chronic Scrotal Pain

Background and Objectives:

To evaluate the usefulness of laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the management of chronic scrotal pain.

Methods:

Between 2009 and 2011, 48 patients in total were treated with laparoscopic varicocelectomy for dull scrotal pain that worsened with physical activity and was attributed to varicoceles. All patients were followed up at 3 and 6 months and biannually thereafter with a physical examination, visual analog scale score, and ultrasonographic scan in selected cases.

Results:

The mean age was 38.2 years (range, 23–54 years). The mean follow-up period was 19.6 months (range, 6–26 months). Bilateral varicoceles were present in 7 patients (14.6%), and a unilateral varicocele was present in 41 (85.4%). The varicocele was grade 3 in 27 patients (56.3%), grade 2 in 20 (41.6%), and grade 1 in 1 (2.1%). The mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 4.8 on a scale from 0 to 10. The mean postoperative visual analog scale score at 3 months was 0.8. After the procedure, 42 patients (87.5%) had a significant improvement in the visual analog scale score (P < .001); 5 (10.4%) had symptom improvement, although it was not statistically significant; and 1 (2.1%) remained unchanged. During follow-up, we observed 5 recurrences (10.4%) whereas de novo hydrocele formation was identified in 4 individuals (8.3%).

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is efficient in the treatment of symptomatic varicoceles with a low complication rate. However, careful patient selection is necessary because it appears that individuals presenting with sharp, radiating testicular pain and/or a low-grade varicocele are less likely to benefit from this procedure.