Women's participation in household decision making and implementation - a case of urban low income households in Kuala Lumpur

Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menentukan kesahihan instrumen untuk menilai pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan dalam isi rumah oleh wanita. Secara khususnya, kajian ini membandingkan penglibatan ibubapa dalam pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan, seterusnya menentukan faktor-faktor yang menyumbang kepada pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan isi rumah oleh ibu. Subjek terdiri daripada wanita berbangsa Melayu daripada isi rumah berpendapatan rendah di Kuala Lumpur. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui temu bual dengan ibu dengan menggunakan borang soalselidik berstruktur yang telah diuji kesahihannya. Maklumat yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif serta menggunakan ujian-T berpasangan dan one-way ANOVA. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa bapa lebih menglibatkan diri dalam proses pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan berbanding ibu terutamanya dalam aspek pendapatan dan perbelanjaan keluarga (p < 0.001), sementara ibu lebih mendominasi aspek-aspek berkaitan makanan dan penjagaan anak, kesihatan serta pemberian makanan. Terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan antara penglibatan ibu dan bapa dalam proses pelaksanaan keputusan (p < 0.01) tetapi tiada perbezaan didapati dalam proses pembuatan keputusan. Secara keseluruhannya didapati ibu lebih menglibatkan diri dalam pelaksanaan keputusan berbanding pembuatan keputusan isi rumah. Terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan untuk penglibatan ibu dalam pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan mengikut status pekerjaan dan pendapatan yang diperoleh oleh ibu. Ibu yang bekerja (p < 0.01) dan mempunyai pendapatan sendiri (p < 0.001) lebih menglibatkan diri dalam pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan secara keseluruhannya. Pekerjaan ibu dan pendapatan yang diperoleh mungkin merupakan antara faktor yang menyumbang kepada autonomi di kalangan wanita dan secara tidak langsung meningkatkan imej diri dan mempengaruhi status kesihatan dan pemakanan anak mereka. Kesimpulannya, hasil kajian menunjukkan kesahihan instrumen yang digunakan dan menyokong kepentingan melihat proses pembuatan dan pelaksanaan keputusan isi rumah sebagai dua mekanisme yang berbeza

Maternal child feeding knowledge and practices and growth status of young children aged 6 to 24 months in Kuala Lumpur

This study was conducted to determine the association between maternal child feeding knowledge and practices with the growth status of young children. A total of 102 young children (62 boys and 40 girls) aged between 6 and 24 months old and their mothers participated in this study. A set of structured questionnaire; was used to obtain information on socio-economic, demographic characteristics, maternal feeding knowledge and practices, and anthropometric measurements of the young children. Maternal feeding knowledge was assessed in three different constructs i.e. general nutrition, breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Maternal feeding practice was assessed by examining whether mothers met the WHO guidelines for continued breastfeeding or feeding of milk or milk products, number of feeding times and number of food groups. Anthropometric measurements of the children such as weight and recumbent length were obtained using TANITA weighing scale and wooden measuring board, respectively. The anthropometric measurements were then compared to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference. The results indicated that 18.6% (n=19) of the young children were significantly underweight, 16.7% (n=17) mildly underweight, and 3.9% (n=4) were overweight. The percentage of children with significant and mild wasting were 17.6% (n=18) and 32.4% (n=33) respectively, while 14.7% (n=15) and 34.3 (n=35) were significantly and mildly stunted respectively. Maternal feeding data showed that the mean of maternal feeding knowledge score in the three constructs were 6.73±0.18, 5.97±0.19 and 6.57±0.18, for general nutrition, breastfeeding and complementary feeding respectively. The total score for each construct was 10. The mean total knowledge score obtained was 19.26±4.12. Maternal feeding practice data indicated that 97.1% (n=99) of the mothers continued breastfeeding or feeding milk or milk products, 33.3% (n=34) of the children were fed the recommended minimum number of times, and 81.4% (n=83) of the children were fed the recommended minimum number of food groups. Statistical test on the association between maternal child feeding knowledge and practices with the growth status of young children will be further conducted. Maternal nutritional knowledge and child feeding practices should not be overlooked as factors that may influence growth status of young children

A workplace email-linked website intervention for modifying cancer-related dietary and lifestyle risk factors: rationale, design and baseline findings

INTRODUCTION:The use of email and website as channels for workplace health information delivery is not fully explored. This study aims to describe the rationale, design, and baseline findings of an email-linked website intervention to improve modifiable cancer risk factors. METHODS:Employees of a Malaysian public university were recruited by systematic random sampling and randomised into an intervention (n = 174) or control group (n = 165). A website was developed for the intervention and educational modules were uploaded onto the website. The intervention group received ten consecutive weekly emails with hypertext links to the website for downloading the modules and two individual phone calls as motivational support whilst the control group received none. Diet, lifestyle, anthropometric measurements, psychosocial factors and stages of change related to dietary fat, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were assessed. RESULTS:Participants were predominantly female and in non-academic positions. Obesity was prevalent in 15% and 37% were at risk of co-morbidities. Mean intake of fats was 31%, fruit was -1 serving/day and vegetable was < 1 serving/day. Less than 20% smoked and drank alcohol and about 40% were physically inactive. The majority of the participants fell into the Preparation stage for decreasing fat intake, eating more fruit and vegetables, and increasing physical activity. Self-efficacy and perceived benefits were lowest among participants in the Precontemplation/Contemplation stage compared to the Preparation and Action/Maintenance stages. CONCLUSION:Baseline data show that dietary and lifestyle practices among the employees did not meet the international guidelines for cancer prevention. Hence the findings warrant the intervention planned

Differences in eating behaviors, dietary intake and body weight status between male and fermale Malaysian University students.

University students are potentially important targets for the promotion of healthy lifestyles as this may reduce the risks of lifestyle-related disorders later in life. This cross-sectional study examined differences in eating behaviours, dietary intake, weight status, and body composition between male and female university students. A total of 584 students (59.4% females and 40.6% males) aged 20.6 +/- 1.4 years from four Malaysian universities in the Klang Valley participated in this study. Participants completed the Eating Behaviours Questionnaire and two-day 24-hour dietary recall. Body weight, height, waist circumference and percentage of body fat were measured. About 14.3% of males and 22.4% of females were underweight, while 14.0% of males and 12.3% of females were overweight and obese. A majority of the participants (73.8% males and 74.6% females) skipped at least one meal daily in the past seven days. Breakfast was the most frequently skipped meal. Both males and females frequently snacked during morning tea time. Fruits and biscuits were the most frequently consumed snack items. More than half of the participants did not meet the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) for energy, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron (females only), and calcium. Significantly more males than females achieved the RNI levels for energy, protein and iron intakes. This study highlights the presence of unhealthy eating behaviours, inadequate nutrient intake, and a high prevalence of underweight among university students. Energy and nutrient intakes differed between the sexes. Therefore, promoting healthy eating among young adults is crucial to achieve a healthy nutritional status

Dietary patterns as a predictive factor for overweight and obesity among secondary school children in Mashhad, Iran

This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among secondary school children in the city of Mashhad, Iran and its association with dietary patterns. A total of 1189 secondary school children (579 males and 610 females) aged 12- 14 years old were selected through a stratified multistage random sampling. All adolescents were measured for weight and height. Household socio-demographic information were self-reported by parents. Adolescents were classified as overweight or obese based on BMI-for age Z-score. Dietary patterns were assessed using a validated Iranian food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) included 121 food items. The principal component factor analysis (PCA) was applied to derive dietary patterns, and Logistic Regression (LR) was applied to examine the association between dietary pattern and adolescents BMI. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity among the study population was 17.2% and 11.9%, respectively. The PCA analysis revealed the presence of two dietary patterns that were labeled as ‘Healthy dietary pattern’ (HP), and ‘Unhealthy dietary pattern’ (UP). LR analysis showed that HP was significantly associated with BMI (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.124-1.47). Similarly, UP was significantly associated with BMI (OR: 0.861, 95% CI: .725-.968). In Iran, nutritional transition has taken place in the context of urbanization and has changed lifestyle, and dietary patterns. Policies must be formulated and circulated in the society to reach every family in the form of healthy dietary pattern

Disordered eating behaviors, depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian University students.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between depression, anxiety and stress with disordered eating among university students. The Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were administered on 584 Malaysian university students (59.4% females and 40.6% males). About one in five participants (18.2%) were at risk of eating disorders. Females had significantly higher proportion of at risk of eating disorders (21.3%) compared to males (13.5%). There was no sex difference in mean EAT-26 scores. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress of moderate severity or above were 29.3%, 55.0% and 21.6% respectively. No sex differences in depression and anxiety scores were found but females had significantly higher stress score compared to males. There was significant relationship between EAT-26 and DASS-21 subscales. Further, no significant interaction effect was found for sex and ethnicity with EAT-26 and DASS-21 subscales. The prevalence of at risk of eating disorders, depression, anxiety and stress among university students were high. There were positive correlations between depression, nxiety, and stress with disordered eating. Further studies on their associated risks are warranted

Socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status of individuals by stages of change for dietary fat reduction.

Changes in lifestyle and food habits have been implicated in the increasing rate of nutrition related chronic diseases in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify socio-demographic characteristic and nutritional status of individuals by their readiness to reduce dietary fat intake. A total of 202 non-academic staff aged 18-56 years at Universiti Putra Malaysia participated in the study. Information on demographic, socio-economic and stages of change related to dietary fat reduction were collected using a pre-tested interview-administered questionnaire. Subjects were measured for weight, height and waist circumference. Fasting blood through venipuncture was obtained for triglycerides, LDL-, HDL- and total cholesterol. Energy and dietary fat intake were estimated based on two days 24 h diet recall. Chi-square test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used for data analysis. Of the respondents, about 12% reported reduced fat intake, 20% were not committed to change and more than half (68%) were in preparation stage. There was no significant association between stages of change and socio-demographic factors. Body mass index was highest in preparation group (Mean±SE = 24.93±0.35 kg/m2) [F = 5.686; p<0.01]. Men in action/maintenance group (Mean±SE = 76.22±4.17 cm) had significantly lower adjusted mean waist circumference than those in preparation group (Mean±SE = 89.77±1.85 cm) [F = 5.324, p<0.01]. No significant difference across stages was observed in waist circumference for women, lipid profile, caloric and fat intake. It is important to identify characteristics of individuals by their readiness to change dietary behaviors so that effective nutrition strategies can be developed and implemented to meet their dietary needs and goals

Correlates of children's eating attitude test scores among primary school children

A total of 107 Malay primary school girls (8–9 yr. old) completed a set of measurements on eating behavior (ChEAT, food neophobia scales, and dieting experience), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, body shape satisfaction, dietary intake, weight, and height. About 38% of the girls scored 20 and more on the ChEAT, and 46% of them reported dieting by reducing sugar and sweets (73%), skipping meals (67%), reducing fat foods (60%) and snacks (53%) as the most frequent methods practiced. In general, those girls with higher ChEAT scores tended to have lower self-esteem (r = .39), indicating they were more unwilling to try new foods (food neophobic) (r = .29), chose a smaller figure for desired body size (r = -.25), and were more dissatisfied with their body size (r = .31)