9 research outputs found
‘Parental physical activity asscoiated with preschoolers physical activity in Taska Permata, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
No full textBreakfast Intake and its Association with Body Mass Index among Pre-schoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
No full textIn Malaysia, breakfast is the most frequently skipped meal. Skipping breakfast has been
associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. However, this relationship has not been
investigated widely among preschoolers in Malaysia. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to
determine the association between breakfast intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) among
preschoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga (TPK), Kuala Nerus. A total of 131 Malays preschoolers
aged four to six years old were recruited from nine TPK using convenience sampling method.
Information on sociodemographic, breakfast intake pattern and anthropometric measurements
(weight and height) were obtained. Respondents consisted of 74 (56.5%) boys and 57 (43.5%)
girls. Anthropometric results showed that 8.4% preschoolers were overweight and obese. Among
the preschoolers, 22.1% of them were breakfast skippers. In terms of gender breakdown, 20.3%
boys and 24.6% girls skipped breakfast. There was a significant association between breakfast
intake and BMI status among preschoolers (p = 0.003). This indicated that preschoolers that
skipped breakfast were associated with overweight or obese compared to those who consumed
breakfast daily. Breakfast consumption is a marker of a healthy lifestyle which can reduce the risk
of childhood obesity. This habit should be inculcated during this critical period of life in which
parents play a vital role in promoting breakfast consumption among preschoolers
Association between Sociodemographic Factors with Nutritional Status among Primary School Children in Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia
No full textThis study aims to determine the association between sociodemographic aspects and nutritional status among rural Setiu, Terengganu schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted among 269 primary school children. Sociodemographic information was obtained from parents or guardians through face-to-face interviews, and standardized techniques and calibration were adopted for anthropometric measurements. The World Health Organization Anthro Plus was used to generate the z-scores for Weight-for-Age (WAZ), Height-for-Age (HAZ), and Body Mass Index-for- Age (BAZ) to indicate underweight, stunting, and obesity among the children. Chi-squared test was used to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and nutritional status. The children exhibited mean WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ scores of -0.66, -0.82, and -0.00, respectively. Approximately 13.8% of schoolchildren in this study were stunted, 16.7% were underweight, 8.9% were overweight, and 11.5% were obese. Age and the father\u27s education level were significantly associated with WAZ (p=0.02 and p=0.001), household size was associated with HAZ (p=0.029), and BAZ was found to be associated with the father\u27s income factor (p=0.03). This study discovered that the majority of results from the measurement of WAZ, HAZ and BAZ were in normal growth with 81 (79.4%), 230 (85.5%) and 196 (72.9%), respectively. In conclusion, this study indicates that most of the sociodemographic factors were not associated with nutritional status and the prevalence of malnutrition among primary school children in the rural areas of Setiu, Terengganu was lower than in the other rural areas
Breakfast Intake and its Association with Body Mass Index among Pre-schoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
No full textIn Malaysia, breakfast is the most frequently skipped meal. Skipping breakfast has been associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. However, this relationship has not been investigated widely among preschoolers in Malaysia. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between breakfast intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) among preschoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga (TPK), Kuala Nerus. A total of 131 Malays preschoolers aged four to six years old were recruited from nine TPK using convenience sampling method. Information on sociodemographic, breakfast intake pattern and anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were obtained. Respondents consisted of 74 (56.5%) boys and 57 (43.5%) girls. Anthropometric results showed that 8.4% preschoolers were overweight and obese. Among the preschoolers, 22.1% of them were breakfast skippers. In terms of gender breakdown, 20.3% boys and 24.6% girls skipped breakfast. There was a significant association between breakfast intake and BMI status among preschoolers (p = 0.003). This indicated that preschoolers that skipped breakfast were associated with overweight or obese compared to those who consumed breakfast daily. Breakfast consumption is a marker of a healthy lifestyle which can reduce the risk of childhood obesity. This habit should be inculcated during this critical period of life in which parents play a vital role in promoting breakfast consumption among preschoolers
Effects of cocoa polyphenols and dark chocolate on obese adults: a scoping review
No full textObesity remains a major public health problem due to its increasing prevalence. Natural products have become common as adjunct therapeutic agents for treating obesity and preventing metabolic diseases. Cocoa and its products are commonly consumed worldwide. Dark chocolate, a rich source of polyphenols, has received attention lately for its beneficial role in the management of obesity; however, conflicting results are still being reported. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the existing literature on the relationship and effects of cocoa and dark chocolate intake among obese adults. We searched multiple databases for research investigating the consumption of cocoa and/or dark chocolate in managing obesity among adults. This review includes epidemiological and human studies that were published in English over the last 10 years. Our review of the current literature indicates that epidemiological and human trials with obese adults have shown inconsistent results, which may be due to the different populations of subjects, and different types of cocoa products and doses used for intervention. Studies among obese adults are mainly focusing on obese individuals with comorbidities, as such more studies are needed to elucidate the role of cocoa polyphenols in weight control and preventing the risk of chronic diseases among obese individuals without comorbidities as well as healthy individuals. Careful adjustment of confounding factors would be required. The effects of cocoa and dark chocolate intake on obese adults were discussed, and further research is warranted to identify the gaps
Weekday and weekend variation in the distribution of daily stepping in 9-11 years old obese school children
No full textA major health threat for children in the 21st century is physical inactivity in conjunction with the elevated
prevalence of obesity.In Malaysia, low physical activity among children is a major concern.
The objective of the study was to analyze the day to day variation of step count in a sample of obese children
using the activPALTM monitor. This was a cross sectional study conducted in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu.
The sample compromised 41 boys and 24 girls between the ages of 9-11 years. Number of steps was objectively
measured using an activPALTM accelerometer over a period of 4-7 days and had their height and weight
measured. Mean step count from this sample of obese children was 8861 ± 3157steps. Steps per day were
significantly higher for boys compared to girls (p=0.034). Obese children took significantly more steps at
weekdays than on weekends (p=0.001). Steps/hour were significantly higher in weekday compared to weekend
between 0600 to 0700 (p<0.001), 0700 to 0800 (p<0.001), 0800 to 0900 am (p<0.001), 0900 to 1000 (p=0.032),
1000 to 1100 (p=0.046), 1100 to 1200 (p<0.001), 1300 to 1400 (p=0.002), 1400 to 1500 (p<0.001), 1800 to
1900 (p=0.026) and 2000 to 2100 (p=0.019). Detailed daily patterns of physical activity are required to fully
understand the differences across days that help future interventions to target those falling short particularly
during weekend
Physicochemical Properties, Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Load of Chocolate Energy Bars Prepared with High Polyphenols Cocoa Powder and Guar Gum
No full textThis study aimed to determine the physicochemical properties, Glycaemic Index (GI) and Glycaemic Load (GL) of chocolate energy bars prepared with different percentages of guar gum (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) and high polyphenols cocoa powder. Proximate analysis was determined following the official methods Association of Official Analytical (AOAC). Ten eligible respondents who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in the GI and GL determination. Test and reference food were given to the participants after overnight fasting. Blood capillary finger pricks were drawn for 7 interval time at 0 until 120 min. The blood glucose responses were calculated based on Incremental Area Under Curve (IAUC). The result revealed that the fat and calorie content were significantly lower in formulations with highest guar gum percentage (p˂0.05). On the other hands the moisture, ash, carbohydrate contents, crude fibre, energy value, hardness, fracturability, pH value, and colour were all comparable to the control sample. The control and chocolate energy bars with 0.5% guar gum were in the category of high GI and GL. Whereas, the chocolate energy bars with 1.0% and 1.5% guar gum were in the medium category for both GI and GL. This study demonstrated that incorporating different percentages of guar gum in the high polyphenols chocolate energy bar changed some of the proximate compositions but not the physical properties. Furthermore, addition of guar gum affected the GI and GL as the values were reduced with the increased amount of guar gum
Nutritional, Antioxidant and Glycemic Response of Dark Chocolate Prepared with Sacha Inchi Oil
No full textThis study aimed to enhance the nutritional and functional quality of dark chocolate by incorporating Sacha Inchi Oil (SIO), a healthier fat alternative derived from Plukenetia volubilis, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. The potential of SIO as a Cocoa Butter Equivalent (CBE) was evaluated in dark chocolate formulations containing 1%, 3%, and 5% SIO. Proximate composition and antioxidant capacity were analysed using standard methods (soxhlet, kjeldahl, total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and FRAP). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in fat, fiber, moisture, and energy contents, with the 5% SIO formulation showing reduced fat and energy levels, increased fiber and moisture, and the highest antioxidant activity. Additionally, a non-randomized controlled trial involving ten healthy participants was conducted to determine the Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL) of the samples. While the control and 1% SIO samples exhibited high GI, the 3% and 5% SIO formulations were classified as medium GI, and all samples demonstrated low GL. The 5% SIO chocolate had the lowest glycemic response. These findings indicate that SIO can improve the nutritional profile, antioxidant properties, and glycemic response of dark chocolate, supporting its application as a functional ingredient in the development of healthier chocolate products, particularly for health-conscious populations in developing countries
Patterns and Predictors of CD4 T-Cell Counts Among Children Born to HIV-Infected Women in Tanzania.
No full textWe assessed age-specific CD4 T-cell counts and their determinants among Tanzanian children born to HIV-infected mothers to address a major research gap. A total of 474 HIV-uninfected and 69 HIV-infected children were followed until age of 12 months. Maternal predictors were measured during pregnancy and child predictors at birth and throughout the follow up. Child CD4 T-cell counts were evaluated at the age of 3 months and subsequent 3-month intervals; they decreased linearly among HIV-infected (beta = -8 cells per week; 95% CI -12 to -4; P = 0.0003) and increased linearly among HIV-uninfected children (beta = 4 cells/week; 95% CI 2-7; P = 0.0008). Decreased child counts were predicted by low child anthropometry, maternal HIV stage > or =2, and maternal mid-upper arm circumference <27 cm among HIV-infected children; and by weight-for-height <-2 z-score, maternal HIV stage > or =2, maternal erythrocyte sedimentation rate <81 mm/h and maternal haemoglobin <8.5 g/dl among HIV-uninfected children. The maternal and child predictors described may serve as intervention targets among HIV-exposed children
