Body somatotype and dietary intakes of government employees in Kuala Terengganu

Nutritional intake is one of the most important aspects that influence body composition and may affect body somatotype. Some previous studies conducted on somatotype in Malaysia have focussed on the aspect of sport performance and physical activities but none were on somatotype with dietary intakes. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between somatotype and dietary intakes. A total of 308 males and females of uniformed government agencies personnel in Kuala Terengganu were systematically selected to participate into this study. Somatotype was determined by using the Heath and Carter, method. Dietary intakes were measured by using 24-hour dietary recall technique. The mean age of respondents was 38.18 ± 5.23 years. Their mean BMI was 26.09 ± 5.69 kg/m2, which indicated that they were overweight. Mean somatotype components of the male respondents were (5.71, 4.73, 1.20), while of female respondents were (8.77, 4.99, 0.77). This indicated that the males belonged to mesomorph-endomorph body somatotype while the females belonged to mesomorph endomorph somatotype category. Median calories intake among respondents was 1987 kcal per day. The correlation between endomorphy component with calories, carbohydrate and protein intake were r= -0.083, r= -0.172 and r= -0.226, respectively (p<0.05). Mesomorphy component correlated negatively with protein intake of respondents (r= -0.161, p<0.05). The ectomorphy component correlated positively with calories (r= 0.151, p<0.05), carbohydrate (r= 0.113, p<0.05), protein (r= 0.191, p<0.05) and fat intake (r=0.112, p<0.05). Some vitamins and minerals intake also shows correlation with somatotype components. Generally, this study suggested that dietary intakes influence somatotype components and somatotype measurements can be useful to be used as tools for identifying obesity predispositions

Somatotype and Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors Among Government Employees In Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Aim: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the body somatotype and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among government employees from Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Methods: In this research, 308 government employees were recruited as respondents. Body somatotype was determined using the Heath and Carter (1990) method. The risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were determined by measuring fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol level, HDL cholesterol level and triglycerides level. Results: Majority of the respondents were categorized as endomorphy (84.7%), followed by mesomorphy (11.7%) and ectomorphy (3.6%). Means of fasting blood cholesterol level, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol among respondents were 5.57 mmol/L, 1.55 mmol/L, 1.25 mmol/L and 3.63 mmol/L, respectively. The fasting blood glucose of respondents was in the normal range (5.02 mmol/L), while cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol were on borderline high. Mean HDL level of respondents were below desirable level. Conclusion: We found that there were significant correlation between ectomorphy components with blood cholesterol, LDL, HDL and blood glucose level; mesomorphy with LDL cholesterol level; and endomorphy with HDL and blood glucose level among respondents (p&lt;0.05). As a conclusion, this study has provided useful insights towards the relationship between somatotype components and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.Objetivo: este estudio transversal se realizó para determinar el somatotipo corporal y los factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares entre empleados gubernamentales de Kuala Terengganu, Malasia. Métodos: En esta investigación, se reclutó como encuestados a 308 empleados del gobierno. El somatotipo corporal se determinó mediante el método de Heath y Carter (1990). Los factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares se determinaron midiendo la glucosa en sangre en ayunas, el colesterol total (CT), el nivel de colesterol LDL, el nivel de colesterol HDL y el nivel de triglicéridos. Resultados: La mayoría de los encuestados fueron categorizados como endomorfia (84,7%), seguida de mesomorfia (11,7%) y ectomorfia (3,6%). Las medias del nivel de colesterol en sangre en ayunas, triglicéridos, colesterol HDL y LDL entre los encuestados fueron 5,57 mmol / L, 1,55 mmol / L, 1,25 mmol / L y 3,63 mmol / L, respectivamente. La glucosa en sangre en ayunas de los encuestados estaba en el rango normal (5,02 mmol / L), mientras que el colesterol, los triglicéridos y el colesterol LDL estaban en el límite alto. El nivel medio de HDL de los encuestados estaba por debajo del nivel deseable. Conclusión: Encontramos que existe una correlación significativa entre los componentes de la ectomorfia con el colesterol en sangre, LDL, HDL y nivel de glucosa en sangre; mesomorfia con nivel de colesterol LDL; y endomorfia con HDL y nivel de glucosa en sangre entre los encuestados (p &lt;0,05). Como conclusión, este estudio ha proporcionado información útil sobre la relación entre los componentes del somatotipo y los factores de riesgo de las enfermedades cardiovasculares

Assessment of food insecurity and food coping strategies among fishermen household during monsoon in Terengganu, Malaysia

Most fishermen’s families have insufficient food, especially during the monsoon season. However, few studies have been done assessing their food insecurity and food coping strategies to sustain food availability. This cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was researcher administered to assess food insecurity (via Household Food Insecurity Access Scale - HFIAS) and food coping strategies (via Coping Strategies Index) among fishermen households during monsoon in Terengganu and to examine association between demographic, socioeconomic factors and household food insecurity level. This study was carried out among 80 respondents from fishermen households meeting eligible criterion and included married people aged 18-65 years old living in fisherman villages and wakaf beach areas in Kuala Nerus. The results showed that about 98.8% of the fishermen households in Terengganu were severely food insecure, and the remaining were moderately food insecure during the monsoon season. While for food coping strategies, ‘reduce amount of food cooked for meals’, ‘using less expensive food’, ‘cook whatever food is available at home’, and ‘reduce daily/monthly spending’ was the most highly adopted food coping strategies during monsoon season. There is a significant association found between household monthly income and food insecurity (χ2=2.85 p<0.05). This may indicates that household income of the fishermen do influence their food insecurity status. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that most of the fishermen household is experiencing food insecure during the monsoon season. Thus, more studies need to be conducted to yield further evidence in regards to household food insecurity among fishermen in other states in Malaysia especially during monsoon season

Diet quality and cognitive performance of fishermen’s children in selected region of Terengganu, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Fishermen’s children are vulnerable to food insecurity as well as undernourishment which may influence their cognitive performance. Nevertheless, there is a deficiency in terms of pertinent studies that have been done in Malaysia with regards to their diet quality and cognitive performance. Thus, this cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the diet quality and cognitive performance among 7 to 11 years-old fishermen’s children in Terengganu. A total of 95 respondents were selected and their dietary intake was attained through two days of 24 hr dietary recall and later analyzed using Nutritionist Pro application. The diet quality of the respondents was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) while the cognitive performance was determined through 36-items of Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices. Results have shown that the respondents’ mean total HEI score was 50.41 ± 5.26 out of 100 points indicating poor diet quality. The level of cognitive performance is below average. Unfortunately, no significant association was found between the total HEI score and cognitive performance of the respondents (p=0.16). In the future, more studies need to be carried out on the relationship between diet quality and cognitive performance among these respondents for better understanding

Socio-demographic determinants of fast-food consumption in Malaysian young adults

Fast-food is the fastest-growing food category in the world, offering young adults a quick, affordable, and readily available alternative to home-cooked meals. The objective of this study was to determine the socio-demographic determinants of the most frequent fast-food consumption among young adults in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involved 405 Malaysian young adults aged 18 to 29 who participated in an online survey. This self-administered online questionnaire of habitual fast-food consumption was evaluated using a modified Fast-food Frequency Questionnaire comprised of 30 food items, while the socio-demographic profile was determined by age, gender, ethnicity, monthly household income, marital status, residence, and educational level. IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 (SPSS IBM, New York, USA) was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that the most frequently consumed fast-foods were fried chicken (77.6% of habitual consumption), ice cream (41.3%), and burgers (40%). A chi-square independence test revealed a statistically significant association between urban and rural residence and high fast-food consumption (i.e., fried chicken): c2(2, N = 405) = 22.924, p = 0.001. However, there is no association between consumption of fast-food and gender (c2(2, N = 405) = 0.044, p = 0.834), fast-food and age (p = 0.403), or fast-food and educational level (p > 0.05). Taken together, these findings have provided more information on the habitual consumption of fast-food by young adults. The Malaysian government and other health authorities may be able to develop an action plan to reduce obesity rates and other diseases associated with fast-food consumption among young adults

Habitual dietary fibre intake and lifestyle characteristics in relation to functional constipation among adults in Malaysia

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommend consuming at least 25 g of dietary fibre daily. Adults with low fibre intake have an increased constipation risk. However, little research has been done on the habitual dietary fibre intake and lifestyle characteristics of functional constipation in Malaysian adults. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the dietary fibre intake, lifestyle characteristics, and functional constipation of adults in Malaysia, as well as the association between habitual dietary fibre intake, lifestyle characteristics, and functional constipation. About 318 adults between the ages of 18 and 59 participated and were asked to complete an online questionnaire consisting of three major parts. The components are as follows: i) the assessment of dietary fibre intake by using a semi-quantitative dietary fibre food frequency questionnaire; ii) the assessment of lifestyle factors; and iii) the determination of functional constipation via the Wexner Constipation Scoring System. SPSS 25 was used to analyse the data at a significance level of 0.05. The results indicated that the majority of adults consumed dietary fibre in amounts less than 25 g per day (84.6%). About 97.5% of adults have a healthy lifestyle, and only 2.8% of adults in this study faced constipation. There was no significant association between habitual dietary fibre intake and lifestyle characteristics (p=0.614) or between habitual dietary fibre intake and functional constipation among adults in Malaysia (p=0.147). Continued efforts are needed to increase dietary fibre intake among the adult population

Child Development and Nutritional Status of Children Under Five: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Fishermen Community in Terengganu, Malaysia

This study aims to determine child development, nutritional status and the association between child development and nutritional status. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 fishermen’s children under five years old in selected districts in Terengganu. All respondents were assisted by their mothers during the assessment. Child development was evaluated through the Denver II Development Screening Test. Nutritional status was determined via the anthropometry assessment (BMI-for-age and height-for-age). Preponderantly, the prevalence of suspected development delay of children under-five in Terengganu was 31.7%. The prevalence of suspected delay for language, fine motor-adaptive, and personal-social skills were 15.0%, 1.7%, and 16.7%, respectively. BMI-for-age z-score and height for age z-score of these children were -1.62±1.23 and -0.27±1.41, respectively, indicating a normal range; nonetheless, there were still children that were wasted (23.3%), severely wasted (13.3%), stunted (5.0%), severely stunted (1.7%), and at risk of being overweight (1.7%). However, the chi square test showed there was no association found between child development and nutritional status, BMI-for-age and height-for-age (p&gt;0.001), among fishermen’s children under-five in this study. The nutritional status had no effect on the development of these fishermen's children, but may have been influenced by other factors such as stimulating surroundings, parenting abilities, and culture

Correlation Between Nutritional Status, Cognitive Function and Daytime Sleepiness of Schoolchildren in Terengganu, Malaysia

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the correlation between nutritional status, cognitive function and daytime sleepiness of schoolchildren in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. It involved 85 schoolchildren aged 9 to 12 years. Nutritional status was determined through anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses for hemoglobin, urinalysis and urinary iodine concentration (UIC). While cognitive performance was tested using Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (R-CPM). The daytime sleepiness of the respondents was assessed using the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). It was found that 16.5% of the respondents were stunted while 4.7%, 12.9% and 17.7% were obese, overweight and wasted, respectively. In addition, 37.7% of the respondents were anemic and the median UIC was 177.0 µg/l, which was categorized as normal for children. The majority (37.6%) of the respondents had an average cognitive level. Furthermore, the mean for daytime sleepiness based on PDSS score for overall respondents was categorized under an average level that was 14.1 score. In the present research, results found that all of the factors examined in this study were not correlated with respondents’ cognitive function. As the majority of the children had average to low levels of cognitive functions, it is recommended to investigate further factors associated with cognitive functions and, subsequently, to design and deliver appropriate intervention

Pedometer-measured walking steps and levels of physical activity: a study in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

The Malaysia Ministry of Health introduced the 10,000 Steps Program to embrace physical activity and increase the quality of life among the Malaysian population. Thus, this cross-sectional study aims to determine the walking steps, and level of physical activity among adults in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. A convenience sample of 90 adults aged 18 to 59 years old had their two-days walking steps assessed using an Omron HJ-320 pedometer. Meanwhile, physical activity was measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Spearman correlation coefficient is used to assess the relationship between the number of walking steps based on the pedometer, and physical activity level. The result shows that the average median steps/day of the respondents was 5096 (3744). Only 6.7% of respondents achieved the 10,000 recommended steps. The respondents were generally categorized as low active for their walking steps and physical activity level. There was a significantly low relationship between physical activity and walking (r=0.214, p=0.043). This indicates that the physical activity level among respondents was relatively related by their number of walking steps. In conclusion, a pedometer can be part of an effective tool for measuring daily physical activity. Awareness programs are strongly encouraged to increase the physical activity level among the population

Association of household food insecurity with academic performance and nutritional status of fisherman’s school-aged children in Terengganu, Malaysia

This study was conducted to establish the relationship between household food insecurity (via Household Food Insecurity Access Scale), academic performance (overall class position through School Exam Analysis System), and the nutritional status (BMI-for-age and height-for-age determination) of fishermen’s children in Terengganu. This was a cross-sectional study involving 101 fishermen’s children aged 7 to 11 years old. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The result shows that the prevalence of children with food insecurity was 43.2%. It was found that 24.2% of fishermen’s children were good at the academic level while 51.3% were moderate and 24.2% were poor. BMI prevalence for children who were normal 69.3% and remaining was 6.9% obese, 2.0% overweight, 12.9% thinness, and 8.9% severe thinness. For height-for-age, 8.9% were stunting, normal 88.1%, tallness 2.0%, followed by severely stunted 1.0%. There is no association found between household food insecurity and academic performance χ2(1, n=101) = 1.891, p=0.169. There is also no association found between household food insecurity with BMI-for-age χ2(1, n=101) = 1.105, p=0.293 and height-for-age, p>0.05 (with Fischer exact value = 0.093). Further studies must be carried out to produce further evidence of household food insecurity for fishermen in other Malaysian states, to prevent this group from being ignored