Development and Validation of Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for Estimation of the Dietary Polyphenol Intake Among Elderly Individuals in Klang Valley

Polyphenol is a non-nutrient phytochemical compound existed abundantly in plant-based diet which has the properties to prevent age related oxidative damage induced diseases. However, there are diffi culties in quantifying its intake and local food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for the assessment is not available. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate FFQ for estimation of dietary polyphenol intake among 93 individuals aged 60 years and above recruited from several senior citizen clubs in Klang Valley. Phase I of the study involved the development of FFQ consisted of 117 items under 9 categories and formation of the database extracted from PHENOL-EXPLORER. In Phase II, the intake of polyphenol estimated using FFQ was compared with reference method consisted of 2-day diet records and diet history questionnaire (DHQ). The mean dietary polyphenol intake estimated from FFQ and the reference method was 2770.7 ± 1552.4 mg/d and 2171.4 ± 898.8 mg/d, respectively. Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s tau-b analysis indicated that there was a signifi cant positive correlation between polyphenol intake estimated from FFQ and reference method (r = 0.41, p < 0.001; r = 0.28, p < 0.001). For Bland-Altman plot, 95.7% of scattered plot fell within ± 1.96 SD limits of agreement revealed that there was good agreement between the two methods used. Cross-classifi cation analysis showed that 36.6% was categorized in the same quartile, 78.5% in identical and contiguous quartiles, with only 3.2% in the opposite quartiles. Regression analysis showed that all categories in FFQ signifi cantly account for the inter-variance for dietary polyphenol intake after controlling for the other variables (R2 = 1.000, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the newly developed FFQ is considered valid and has the potential to be used as a tool to estimate polyphenol intake among elderly individuals in Malaysia

Dietary and lifestyle factors and its risk to kidney stone disease: a case control study at UKM Medical Centre

Nutrition has been widely recognized to have certain levels of influence on the risk of kidney stone formation. Thus, this case-control study was conducted to determine the association of dietary intake and lifestyles factors with kidney stone disease. Sociodemographic data, dietary intake, supplements intake, smoking and alcohol habit, medical history, physical activity and anthropometric data were obtained using interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaires among 81 patients who had been diagnosed with kidney stone disease and 81 patients without kidney stone disease at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. The results indicated that body mass index and hip circumference were higher among cases as compared to controls in both men and women (p < 0.05). Energy, macronutrients and micronutrients intake were higher for case subjects compared to control subjects for all significant parameters (p < 0.05). Results showed positive association of kidney stone with consumption of nuts (≥1 time/week) for men and women while consumption of eggs (1-3 times/month) and beans (1-6 times/week) showed positive association for women. Analysis of multivariate found the risk factor among women was diabetes mellitus [Adjusted OR = 27.6 (95% CI = 1.43-53.3)] (p < 0.05). Whilst, plain water intake of at least 6 glasses [Adjusted OR = 0.001 (95% CI = 0.000-0.08)] (p < 0.05) and 8 glasses per day [Adjusted OR = 0.001 (95% CI = 0.000-0.02)] (p < 0.05) reduced the risk among women. The risk factors for men were smoking habits [Adjusted OR = 16.2 (95% CI = 1.29-203)] (p < 0.05), consumption of carbonated drink 1-3 times per month [Adjusted OR = 6.25 (95% CI = 1.04-40.7)] (p < 0.05) and 1-6 times per week [Adjusted OR = 12.5 (95% CI = 1.41-111)] (p < 0.05). Unhealthy dietary and lifestyles factors increased the risk of kidney stone disease and various risk factors were found for different sexes

Dietary Polyphenols Consumption and Its Relation with Cognitive and Mental Health in Aging: A Review

Literature review suggests that polyphenols in particular fl avonoids, are benefi cial for mental health during aging process. This review examines the effect of consumption of all polyphenols groups on mental health and cognitive status during aging process. The keywords searched were “mental health,” “depression,” “anxiety,” “stress” and “cognitive” combined with “dietary,” and “polyphenols.” The databases including PubMed, Web of Science and CAB Abstracts were searched for a period of 10 years. A total of 11 studies were identifi ed to fulfi ll the inclusion criteria. From this review, polyphenols may confer benefi cial effects towards mental health, in particular the decline in cognitive functions during aging process, however, some studies showed contradictory results. Polyphenols have been proven to improve language and verbal ability, which is among the main vulnerable aspects in cognitive decline in pathological brain aging. In contrast, polyphenols intake did not seem to affect executive functioning. The effects of polyphenols towards cognitive status were more prominent among the elderly as compared to young and middle-aged adults. This review also shows that fl avonoids is the main type of polyphenols that confer positive effects towards cognitive status during aging. This review provides evidence that consumption of polyphenols may lead to cognitive and mental health benefi ts. Further clinical trials involving human subjects are required with carefully designed methodology to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between polyphenols consumption and improvement in cognitive and mental health statu

Anaemia and cognitive function among Chinese elderly in Old Folks Homes

The relationship between anaemia and cognitive function was evaluated among 35 Chinese elderly (24 men and 11 women) aged 60 to 85 years (mean age 70.1 ± 6.7 years) from five old folks homes in Klang Valley. They were interviewed to obtain information on social and health status, habitual dietary intake and cognitive function. Hodkinson’s Abbreviated Mental Test was used to measure the cognitive function. Haematological indices which included Full Blood Count (FBC), serum iron, serum ferritin, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), serum folate and serum cobalamine (vitamin B12) weremeasured using an automated analyzer. Anthropometric measurements and clinical signs of anaemia were also examined. The findings indicated that the prevalence of anaemia as assessed using haemoglobin alone was 22.9%, while iron deficiency anaemia based on low serum iron, microcytic and hypochromic criterion was detected among 5.7% of the sample. Subclinical folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies were diagnosed among 34.3% and 8.6% of the subjects. However, there was no occurrence of megaloblastic anaemia. There was a positive correlation between cognitive score with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) (r=0.547, p<0.01) and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.501, p < 0.01). All subjects with low haemoglobin and serum iron and approximately three quarter of subjects with folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies were classified as having cognitive impairment. In conclusion, subclinical malnutrition and anaemia may play a role in the deterioration of cognitive function in the elderl

Effectiveness of a structured weight management programme at workplace among employees of a petroleum industry in Malaysia

Recognising the epidemic of overweight and obesity among Malaysians, formulation of intervention programmes such as a weight management programme at workplace is essential. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a structured weight management programme at workplace among overweight and obese employees. In this quasi-experimental study, sixty-four of overweight and obese adults were recruited and divided into two groups (intervention group, n = 32 and control group, n = 32). Subjects in the intervention group received three months scheduled programme and the control group received a routine weight management consultation from dietitians. Significant group effect was found on waist circumference (WC) in men (p < 0.05) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in women (p < 0.05). Men from the intervention group had reduced their WC by 3.4% (-3.7 cm) as compared to controls of 0.7% (-0.8 cm). Women in the intervention group improved their BMI by 1.4% (-0.4 kg/m2) as compared to controls at 0.3% (-0.1 kg/m2). Total cholesterol and LDL-C reduced among women in both intervention and control group with significant time effect (p < 0.05). As a conclusion a structured weight management programme effectively improved WC in men and BMI in women, and appeared to be as effective as individual diet counselling by dietitians in improving lipid profiles in women

Dietary patterns of the metabolic syndrome among older adults in Malaysia

The term metabolic syndrome (MetS) describes a clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus which include high blood pressure, low fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), high fasting triglyceride (TG), high fasting blood glucose (BG), and abdominal obesity. The aim of this cross sectional study was to determine the dietary patterns (DPs) associated with MetS among 451 older adults in Malaysia. Food intake was determined using validated Diet History. DP was identified based on 40 food groups by using principal component analysis (PCA), and the factors were rotated by varimax rotation. Fasting venous blood samples were taken to determine HDL-c, TaG and BG level. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were also performed. Three major dietary patterns have been identified; 1) bread, spreads and oats, 2) Malaysia traditional pancakes and 3) vegetables and healthy cooked dishes. Three models were built to compare the potential confounder such as age, education years, marital status, calorie intakes, ciggarate smoking and body mass indeks (BMI). Only vegetables and healthy cooked dishes DP was associated with MetS. This DP reflects high consumption of various types of vegetables, noodle in soup, healthy cooked fish or seafood and low consumption of all type of high calorie rice, noodles and fried desserts. For all models, subject in the highest tertile of vegetables and healthy cooked dishes DP had a lower odd ratio (OR) for MetS as compared to lowest tertile. As more potential confounders added in new models, the significant values are increased. After adjustment of body mass index, the association for vegetables and healthy cooked dishes DP was attenuated (OR: 0.67, CI: 0.39-1.16, p: 0.156). In conclusion, high consumption of vegetable and healthy cooked dishes may lower the occurance of MetS among Malaysian elderly

Pengambilan makanan dalam kalangan warga emas yang mengalami ketakjaminan makanan di penempatan pertanian di Lubuk Merbau, Kedah

Ketakjaminan makanan dikaitkan dengan pengambilan nutrien yang tidak mencukupi dalam kalangan warga emas. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan pengambilan makanan dalam kalangan warga emas yang mengalami ketakjaminan makanan di kawasan penempatan pertanian iaitu di FELDA Lubuk Merbau, Kedah. Seramai 70 orang warga emas telah dipilih secara subsampel dari kajian sebenar (n = 289: purata umur 69.2 ± 7.4 tahun) untuk mengisi maklumat bekalan makanan selama seminggu. Kajian ini dijalankan melalui lawatan dari rumah ke rumah, dengan responden ditemu ramah untuk mendapatkan maklumat sosiodemografi dan ketakjaminan makanan. Pengambilan makanan direkodkan mengunakan soal selidik bekalan makanan untuk seminggu. Ketakjaminan makanan dinilai menggunakan soal selidik ketakjaminan makanan untuk warga emas. Hasil kajian mendapati seramai 19.7% responden mengalami ketakjaminan makanan. Pengambilan tenaga didapati lebih tinggi dalam kalangan responden wanita dengan ketakjaminan makanan (2329.0 ± 814 kcal/hari) berbanding mereka yang tidak mengalami ketakjaminan makanan (1836 ± 447 kcal/hari) (p < 0.05). Walau bagaimanapun selepas digugurkan responden yang terlebih lapor, pengambilan tenaga antara kedua kumpulan adalah tidak berbeza secara signifikan (1890 ± 208 kcal/hari dan 1643 ± 233 kcal/hari). Jumlah pengambilan makanan dari kumpulan makanan lemak, minyak, gula dan garam adalah tinggi dalam kalangan subjek dengan ketakjaminan makanan (106.6 ± 60.0 g/hari) berbanding dengan mereka yang tidak mengalami ketakjaminan makanan (80.3 ± 30.1 g/hari)(p < 0.05). Kesimpulannya, satu perlima daripada responden mengalami ketakjaminan makanan dan dikaitkan dengan pengambilan makanan yang kurang sihat iaitu tinggi lemak, minyak, gula dan garam. Terdapat keperluan untuk merangka program intervensi bagi meningkatkan kualiti diet warga emas yang berisiko mengalami ketakjaminan makanan

Pengehadan kalori, fungsi kognitif dan penuaan: peranan terhadap sistem biologi

Prevalens gangguan kognitif ringan (MCI) di Malaysia mencecah 68% pada tahun 2016. Pelbagai kaedah dijalankan bagi memastikan kelestarian tahap kesihatan warga tua termasuk melalui nutrisi, gaya hidup dan persekitaran. Pengehadan kalori dibuktikan mampu untuk menurunkan kadar mortaliti dan morbiditi warga tua serta memelihara tahap kesihatan warga tua supaya dapat membantu dalam meningkatkan kualiti hidup golongan tersebut. Pengehadan kalori juga merupakan salah satu kaedah yang lebih mudah dan berkesan dalam membantu meningkatkan ingatan dan memelihara kesihatan golongan tersebut. Ia juga membantu mengurangkan kadar inflamasi dan mencantas tindakan radikal bebas yang hadir di dalam sistem tubuh akibat daripada proses penuaan dan faktor persekitaran. Keadaan ini menyediakan tubuh badan yang lebih rentan terhadap kerosakan DNA dan serangan toksin daripada penyakit kronik, pemakanan dan persekitaran. Oleh itu, kajian ini memberikan konsep yang lebih jelas terhadap implikasi pengehadan kalori dalam memelihara fungsi kognitif

Bone Health Status among Thalassemia Children.

Low bone mineral density is a significant problem in children with Thalassemia which may lead to increased risk for fragility fractures and suboptimal peak bone mass. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the bone health status of Thalassemia children Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre and Paediatrics Insititute Kuala Lumpur Hospital. A total of 81 respondents diagnosed with transfusion dependant beta Thalassemia (41 boys and 40 girls) aged between 7 to 19 years old completed the study. The data collected were demographic information, anthropometric measurements, dairy frequency questionnaires, dietary habits of the respondents and their parents, dietary intakes and bone densitometry using Ultrasound Bone Densitometer. For Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) parameters, T-score of 9.8% participants were lower than -1.0 and 30.9% of the participants had lower Speed of Sound(SOS) than healthy SOS. This study showed there was no difference in bone density by sex (p>0.05). The median bone density of boys was 1616.00 m/ sec (IQR= 39.00) and girls’ was 1579.00 m/ sec (IQR= 116.00). SOS was not increased with age, height and weight; but girls’ Body Mass Index (BMI). Malay children had significantly higher SOS than non-Malay children. This study highlights a need of proper intervention for the high risk group to achieve optimal bone health

The association between physical fitness with successful ageing and risk of cognitive impairment among malaysian older adults

The expansion of ageing population has gained much public attention on the importance of healthy and successful ageing, which is absence of major chronic diseases, preserved physiological and cognitive functioning and active engagement with life. Previous studies have found there was a significant correlation between physical fitness with cognition. However, the relationship between physical fitness with successful and unsuccessful cognitive ageing groups are very limited. This study was aimed to identify the significant physical fitness components that contribute in reducing risk of cognitive decline represented as different cognitive ageing groups. A total of 300 community-based elderly aged 60 and above from the states of Selangor, Perak and Kelantan were recruited using multistage random sampling method in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function of subjects was categorized into three groups, namely Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (n = 100), Usual Ageing (UA) (n = 100) and Successful Ageing (SA) (n = 100) based on defined criteria. Senior Fitness Tests included 2-minute step, handgrip strength, chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, 8 foot up-and-go and back scratch were measured to determine the cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength; agility and flexibility of subjects. SA group had significantly better performance than non-SA groups in all fitness components, except for chair sit-and-reach. After controlling for age, gender, education years and smoking status, handgrip strength and chair stand tests were associated with a reduced risk of MCI by 7% [OR: 0.93, 95% C.I: 0.88-0.99, p < 0.05] and 15% [OR: 0.85, 95% C.I: 0.75-0.95, p < 0.01], respectively. These findings suggest that older adults with higher upper and lower body muscular strength could serve as protective factors for cognitive impairment. Further research is warranted to evaluate the mechanism of physical and cognitive decline such as Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) in more detailed for the purpose for promoting healthy and successful ageing