Dietary Adherence in Children with Amino Acid Metabolism Disorders and its Impact on Caregivers’ Quality of Life

This study explored the relationship among socio-demographic factors, patients’ dietary adherence, and the Quality of Life (QoL) experienced by their caregivers. A cross-sectional study was carried out, involving 66 caregivers of pediatric patients in Malaysia diagnosed Amino Acid Metabolism Disorders (AAMDs). Dietary adherence was assessed using a modified version of the Malaysia Medication Adherence Assessment Tool (MyMAAT-12), and the caregiver’s QoL was evaluated using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF 36) questionnaire. Majority of the patients were Malay (75.76%), and female (59.1%). Statistical analysis found that caregivers with a higher education level were associated with a higher dietary adherence (rs (64)=0.382, p=0.002) and better mental health (rs (64)=0.281, p=0.022). The age of patients had negative significant correlation with the physical function and general health (rs (64)=0.287, p=0.019) of their caregivers. Besides that, dietary adherence was negatively correlated with social functioning (p=0.010), role limited due to physical health (p=0.018), role limited due to emotional problems (p=0.022), vitality (p=0.021), mental health (p=0.014) and pain (p=0.011). Conclusion: Dietary adherence had a significant impact on the QoL for caregivers of patients with amino acid metabolism disorders. Therefore, it is crucial to explore appropriate treatment strategies and provide support to enhance patients' adherence to their dietary requirements, simultaneously improving the caregivers' QoL

Nutrition Management for Acute Stroke with Right-Sided Hemiparesis: A Case Study

This case study aims to report on the nutrition management of acute stroke with right-sided hemiparesis using an approach of early enteral feeding intervention to prevent malnutrition. Mr. R, a 77-year-old Malay man was admitted to the hospital due to an acute stroke with right hemiparesis with underlying disease of Atrial Fibrillation (AF), hypertension, type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage 3b, and significant Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). His BMI was 24kg/m2 with a weight of 67kg and height of 1.67m, and he was presented with abnormal blood results. All his vital signs were normal, and he appeared lethargic. The patient was on bolus Nasogastric (NG) feeding via Ryle’s tube with polymeric formula. Inadequate enteral nutrition infusion related to infusion volume not yet reached, as evidenced by a 47% energy and 60% protein adequacy feeding history. The polymeric formula was changed to a diabetic-specific formula for better blood sugar control, and feeding was given according to the patient's needs. Mr. R required at least 70% of 1,675 kcal of energy and 53.6 g of protein (0.8 g/kg body weight) to prevent malnutrition. The patient was still on Ryle’s tube feeding and already achieved the targeted energy and protein requirements. Before being discharged, the patient was allowed orally, and a sample menu was given as guidance to avoid weight loss and muscle wasting during longterm recovery. This case highlights the importance of early enteral feeding support in stroke recovery and the need to prioritize meeting nutritional needs in stroke patient care. Mr. R showed improvement in health and nutrition and concluded that early and focused enteral nutrition support can lead to improved results and better quality of life for stroke survivors

Family Support for Maternal Health and Child Care during the First 1,000 Days of a Child's Life: An Exploration of the Experiences of Urban Families

This qualitative study examines the families' support regarding maternal health and child care toward mothers who demonstrated Good Compliance (GC) and Poor Compliance (PC) with nutrition interventions during the first 1,000 days of their child's life. The study employed an in-depth interview method to gather data from 20 fathers and 7 grandparents residing in Bogor City. The data were analyzed using a constant comparison approach between the GC and PC groups for each theme. The findings indicated that family members provided more specific support for child feeding than for maternal Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS), given that the mothers encountered more difficulties on child feeding. Encouraging the mothers to continue taking IFA supplement despite their hesitance was predominantly reported by fathers in the GC fathers. Regarding child feeding, in addition to encouraging the child to eat and feeding them, the GC fathers often engaged in discussions with their wives. In contrast, the PC fathers rarely engaged in such discussions and were only consulted when their wives reported problem. Furthermore, fathers considered their wives to be more knowledgeable on these issues as fathers had limited time due to work commitment. Grandmothers primarily offered advice on child feeding based on their own experiences, sometimes providing less suitable advice for PC mothers. While fathers in both groups did not proactively seek information about maternal health and child care, the GC fathers were more likely to be encountered such information through discussions initiated by their wives, prompting them to pursue further reading. The interaction of fathers in both groups with health professionals only occurred during antenatal visits, with minimal communication. It is recommended that strategies be developed to engage family more highlight their crucial role in fostering a supportive environment for mothers. It is aslo advised that antenal visits be optimized and the Maternal and Child Health (MCH)handbook be utilized to raise awareness and enhance paternal involvement

Association Between Diabetes-Related Nutrition Knowledge and Weight Status Among Cadet and Non-cadet Students at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM)

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between diabetes-related nutrition knowledge and body weight status among non-diabetic young adults. This cross-sectional study utilized a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic and Diabetes-Related Nutrition Knowledge-Questionnaire (DRNK-Q). Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured using standard protocols, and body weight categories were established using the Body Mass Index (BMI). Data from 320 young adults, aged 18‒26 years old, were collected from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM). Participants were divided into two categories based on their knowledge scores. Overall, the study's respondents exhibited low DRNK (52.8%) and high DRNK (47.2%). Majority of respondents have normal body weight (55.7%); nevertheless, there is no relationship between body weight and diabetes-related nutrition knowledge. To conclude, there is no knowledge difference between cadet and non-cadet. Therefore, public health initiatives must customize interventions suitable to support behavior and lifestyle changes based on the amount of diabetes awareness

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Bario Rice Varieties as Potential Gluten-Free Food Ingredients

This study aimed to analyse the proximate composition, physical characteristics, and functional attributes of flour of four selected varieties of Bario rice (Oryza sativa L. Opaceae.): Bario Adan, Bario Padan, Bario Hitam, and Bario Kulit Merah. The rice flour was prepared using a semi-wet grinding method. The results on proximate composition showed that the moisture content ranged from 12.56% to 13.87%. All flours were high in crude fibre and low in fat content ranged 23.07 to 25.30% and 2.46 to 2.69%, respectively. Bario Padan exhibited the highest amount of crude fibre and protein (p<0.05). There were significant differences (p<0.05) observed for L, a*, and b* values, Bario Hitam shows the lowest L* (5.29) and b* (4.96) value (p<0.05). The functional properties among flour variety differ significantly (p<0.05) with a range of 1.160 to 1.257 g/g for water absorption capacity and oil holding capacity ranged from 0.970 to 1.158 g/g. Highest swelling power was obtained in Bario Adan (5.594 g/g) while Bario Padan possessed highest water solubility index (0.099%). In conclusion, Bario rice varieties showcased favourable nutritional and functional traits, indicating their potential as gluten-free ingredients in the formulation of food products

Genetic Variation’s Impact on Weight: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study investigates the genetic factors influencing precision weight management, contributing insights to the enduring debate on hereditary versus environmental influences on obesity. The primary objective is to identify genetic variations as predictive markers for weight management and evaluate their impact on weight control. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline, this research systematically reviews articles that meet specific criteria, with no specific timeline due to limited research on genetic variation in this context. Inclusion criteria mandate the provision of weight and BMI data at the beginning and end of interventions, demonstrating weight reduction. Exclusions cover animal studies, non-English papers, and articles lacking baseline or pre/post-intervention data. The review incorporates comprehensive searches on Scopus, Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science, employing Review Manager for meta-analysis. The study concentrates on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) rs9939609, rs10830963, and rs1052700 across 10 investigations. Despite lacking statistical significance, the findings suggest that these genetic polymorphisms enhance weight loss potential for recessive genotypes. A discernible preference for non-risk genotypes in weight loss efforts emerges. For instance, individuals with the non-risk A allele of rs9939609 experience weight loss with a Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) diet, while those with the non-risk G allele of rs10830963 effectively manage weight with a low-fat diet. Similarly, rs1052700 indicates that individuals with the T allele shed more weight by consuming meals earlier during the day. Although statistically insignificant, the non-risk genotype for all three SNPs demonstrates potential for weight loss. This suggests that participants possessing the non-risk allele can effectively manage their weight through interventions provided by weight loss programs

An Online Cross-Sectional Survey: Changes in Food Group Consumption on Complementary Feeding during COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food group consumption of complementary feeding in Indonesia. Data were collected using online self-administered questionnaires on Indonesian mothers of children aged 6–23 months. The result showed that households with decreased ability to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic tended to choose unhealthy food groups on complementary feeding. There were higher odds of unhealthy food consumption, such as sweetened beverages, including fruit juice (OR=3.181; 95% CI:1.788−5.657) and homemade drink with sweeteners (OR=1.652; 95% CI:1.034−2.641); sugar confection (OR=2.066; 95% CI:1.240−3.444); frozen treats (OR=2.270; 95% CI:1.400−3.681), baked or fried confection (OR=2.154; 95% CI:1.435−3.235); fried and salty foods (OR=1.633; 95% CI:1.059−2.517). Meanwhile, the odds of food group consumption which lower during COVID-19 pandemic mostly are animal source foods group, including yogurt (OR=0.297; 95% CI:0.161−0.548); yogurt drink (OR=0.253; 95% CI:0.138−0.464); cheese (OR=0.355; 95% CI:0.230−0.549); eggs (OR=0.675; 95% CI:0.461−0.991); fish or seafood (OR=0.409; 95% CI:0.279−0.600); organ meats (OR=0.304; 95% CI:0.180−0.512); meats (OR=0.339; 95% CI:0.225−0.511); and poultry (OR=0.339; 95% CI:0.225−0.511). However, effective strategy for enhancing complementary feeding quality during pandemic should be formulated

The Relationship Between Authoritative Parenting Style, Oral Sensory Processing, and Eating Behaviour Related to Picky Eaters among Toddlers in Klang Valley, Malaysia

This study aimed to examine the relationship between authoritative parenting style, oral sensory processing, and eating behaviour related to picky eaters among children aged 3 to 5 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 99 mother/father-child dyads from several Klang Valley nurseries and kindergartens. Online survey data collection, including the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), the Child Sensory Profile 2 Questionnaire (CSP-2) (Oral Domain), the Parental Style Dimension Questionnaire (PSDQ), and a demographic questionnaire. Appointment-based collection of anthropometric measurements (weight and height) was conducted. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between eating behaviour (picky eaters), oral sensory processing, and authoritative parenting scores, independent t-test to determine nutrition status and eating behaviour, and chi-square test to examine picky eater status and oral sensory processing classification. Results show that the prevalence of picky eaters is 45.5%. Picky eaters scored low in food responsiveness and food enjoyment but high in satiety response and slowness in eating. There was only an association between picky eating behaviour and oral sensory processing (r=0.22, p=0.003), but no correlation between these indicators and authoritative parenting styles (p>0.05). No significant difference was found in nutrition status between non-picky eaters and picky eaters (p>0.05). According to this study, nearly one out of two children is a picky eater, which is defined by less enjoyment of food, less responsiveness to food, eating slowly, and feeling full quickly. This research is likely to aid in the development of more targeted intervention programmes for picky eaters

Assessment of Adult Individuals' Fear of COVID-19, Healthy Living Behaviors, and Nutrition Knowledge Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period

This study determines the fear of COVID-19, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and nutrition knowledge levels of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted involving 509 people between the ages of 18 and 64 from December 2020 to April 2021. Data were collected online using a descriptive characteristics form, the COVID-19 Fear Scale, the Adult Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II. It was found from the study that women feared COVID-19 more than men (p<0.05). Individuals aged 35–44 scored higher in basic nutrition knowledge, while those aged 18‒24 scored lower in food preference knowledge (p<0.05). It was also found that individuals who were between 55 and 64 years of age, married, highly educated, employed in the public sector, of good economic status, and ill scored higher on the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (p<0.05). A weak positive correlation was found between the score of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and scores of both food preference knowledge and health responsibility sub-dimensions (r=0.088, r=0.181; p<0.05). A weak positive correlation was also found between the nutrition knowledge score as well as the different sub-dimensions and the total score of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (r=0.164, r=0.196; p<0.05). It was observed that fear of COVID-19, nutrition knowledge level, and healthy lifestyle behaviors were influenced by various socio-demographic characteristics, and that there was a relationship between these three elements