Domestic fuel price and economic sectors in Malaysia: a future of renewable energy?

This study empirically examines the relation between the domestic fuel prices with the ten disaggregated economic sectors in Malaysia with the spanning of data from 1990:Q1 to 2007:Q4. We found that only three sectors (agriculture, trade and other services sectors) are cointegrated with the fuel price and fuel price does Granger cause these sectors. Despite the evidence of non-cointegrated in most of the economic sectors, fuel price able to influence these sectors over a longer period. Policy recommendation from this study includes the utilization of the renewable energy (RE) as a strategic plan is the long-term solution due to the high dependency and increasing demand of energy. While energy prices have experienced some correction in response to signs of slower global growth, sufficient government enforcement and support need to be established to facilitate successful renewable energy implementation in Malaysia.Fuel price, Economic sector, Granger causality, Renewable Energy, Growth

Parent BMI Increase 2 to 5 Years Post-study Related to Change in Age but Independent of Other Sociodemographics, Health Behavior, and Study Engagement (P16-001-19)

Objectives Characterize parent (P) weight change 2-5 y post participation in Fuel for Fun (FFF) a controlled trial of a school and family intervention focused on culinary and physical activity experiences for 4th grade youth. Methods P who had participated with their 4th grader in FFF were recruited via email to enroll in a follow-up (FFFFU) assessment. FFF-FU survey set included measures from the original study and new items pertinent to P of adolescents. Physical activity was measured with the IPAQ; low income was denoted as using an income-based program or worry about money for food. Height, weight, age in FFF and FFF-FU were self reported. Perimenopausal age included 47 y within BL and FFF-FU. Youth in FFF cohorts 1 and 4 were controls and cohorts 2 and 3 included the multi-component intervention. P were enrolled in 1 of 4 treatments varying in type and intensity. FFF and FFF-FU data were collected online using the Qualtrics platform. FFF P completed surveys at baseline (BL), post-intervention, and 4 months post-study. FFF-FU data were collected spring 2018, about 2 to 5 years years post-BL. Data were analyzed with repeated measures controlling for BL or FFF-FU sociodemographics, engagement, health behaviors. Results; Of the 418 FFF P, 127 completed FFF-FU surveys (mean age 42.5 6.0 y) with 115 providing weight and height. FFF-FU sample was female (88%), white (84%), active (44% high activity), educated (69% college degree or higher), but had lower BMI and fewer with low income than FFF P. Of FFF-FU providing heights/weights at the 4 assessments, mean (SE) BMIs were 24.2 (0.5), 24.4 (0.5), 24.6 (0.6) and 25.7 (0.6) respectively. Change in BMI was significant after controlling for age, stress, ethnicity, sex, physical activity level, P treatment and engagement, but not when BL to FFU-FU change in age or perimenopausal age were controlled. The significantly greater increase in BMI for P of intervention youth than controls persisted when controlling for sociodemographic and health behavior findings, but not when BL to FFFFU age change, perimenopausal age or activity level were controlled. Conclusions; Significant weight gain by P of youth in a nutrition intervention 2 to 5 years post-study was unrelated to stress, ethnicity, activity level, income, but was related to the FFF-FU age change from BL and perimenopausal age

Available food options at local shops in relation to food insecurity among older adults in Sharpeville, South Africa

Due to limited resources and complex food access systems in urban areas, especially older adults are more vulnerable to poor dietary intake and food insecurity in low-income areas in South Africa. This study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity among the older adults and explored the availability of healthy foods in local shops. It was a crosssectional study conducted in an eldercare centre in Sharpeville, South Africa with an estimated representative sample of 88 participants. Validated tools were used to measure the socio-economic, dietary diversity intake (24-hour dietary recall), household food security and access from the participants. Listing of available foods was carried out on street vendors (n=13) and spaza shops (local community shops) (n=17) within a four kilometre radius of the centre through on-site visit. A binary logistic regression was used to examine the determinants of food insecurity among older adults. More than half (54.5%) of the older adults reported severe household food insecurity. In this study, 34.1% of the older adults consumed foods from (n=64, 72.7%), eggs (n=75, 85.2%), dark green leafy vegetables (n=64, 72.7%) or vitamin Arich fruits and vegetables (n=47, 53.4%). On the other hand, in terms of food availability, fruits and vegetables were more common in street vendors whereas, fish, meat, and high calorie or salt containing snack were more available in spaza shops. All spaza shops sold high calorie or salt containing snack products (such as soda drinks, chips). Households with under-five children were 2.42 times food insecure than the households without any under-five children (p \u3c 0.05), and the participants who experienced money shortage always or often to buy food and clothes were more food insecure (p \u3c 0.05). Nutrition education along with ensuring availability and easy access to healthy foods in the market are necessary to ensure sustainable food security of older adults

Risks of excess iodine intake in Ghana: current situation, challenges, and lessons for the future

In Ghana, iodine deficiency was first reported in 1994 among 33% of the population. A nationwide Universal Salt Iodization (USI) program plus other complementary interventions were subsequently implemented as a response. Our paper reviews the current risks of excess iodine status in Ghana and identifies policy and research gaps. A mixed methods review of 12 policies and institutional reports and 13 peer‐reviewed articles was complemented with consultations with 23 key informants (salt producers and distributors, food processors, regulatory agency officials, and healthcare providers) purposively sampled between May and August 2017. The findings show a strong policy environment indicated by regulations on food and salt fortification (Act 851), including the USI regulation. However, currently, only a third of Ghanaian households use adequately iodized salt. Recent evidence shows that voluntarily fortified processed foods (including condiments) supply a considerable amount of iodine to the food system. Limited biological impact data suggest possible household exposure to excessive dietary iodine (\u3e15 parts per million). Currently, there is no systematic tracking of iodine content from fortified foods and other sources. Cross‐sectoral actions are needed to understand this situation better. Key research gap is the lack of comprehensive data on iodine content and intake from other sources in Ghana

Domestic Fuel Price and Economic Sectors in Malaysia

This study empirically examines the relation between the domestic fuel prices with the ten disaggregated economic sectors in Malaysia with the spanning of data from 1990:Q1 to 2007:Q4. We found that only three sectors (agriculture, trade and other services sectors) are cointegrated with the fuel price and fuel price does Granger cause these sectors. Despite the evidence of non-cointegrated in most of the economic sectors, fuel price able to influence these sectors over a longer period. Policy recommendation from this study includes the utilization of the renewable energy (RE) as a strategic plan is the long-term solution due to the high dependency and increasing demand of energy. While energy prices have experienced some correction in response to signs of slower global growth, sufficient government enforcement and support need to be established to facilitate successful renewable energy implementation in Malaysia

Iron-focussed nutritional status of mothers with children (6–59 months) in rural northern Ghana

Background: Anaemia, especially iron deficiency anemia, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in African women and children. Aim: To assess the intake of nutrients related to iron and anaemia status among mothers in smallholder agrarian communities in Northern Ghana where anaemia is known to be endemic. Setting: Tolon Kumbumgu district and Tamale Metropolis in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 161 mothers with children 6–59 months. Questionnaires on socio-demographics, household food security and production and food frequencies, and three 24-hour recalls were administered during structured interviews, and BMI was assessed. Dietary intakes were analysed with the Ghana Nutrient Database® (version 6.02). Nutrient intake was evaluated using the estimated average requirements and iron intakes using the probability method. Results: Most mothers (91.9%) had low literacy and were subsistence farmers. The staple diet was homemade unrefined, unfortified maize meal, homemade unfortified oil (shea butter), and seasonal green leafy vegetables (mostly amaranth), butternut, tomatoes, onions and legumes. Inadequate intakes of vitamin A (in 9.9%), folate (in 46.6%) and vitamin B12 (in 98.8%) were observed, in combination with high fibre (47.8 ± 19.0 g/day) intakes and high tea consumption. If 10% iron bio-availability was assumed, 33.1% were estimated to have inadequate iron intake; if 5% iron bio-availability was assumed, 80.8% were estimated to have inadequate iron intakes. Conclusion: In these low socio-economic agrarian communities, mothers of infants are living on home produce and rarely consumed foods (fortified salt, cooking oil and wheat flour) from the national food fortification programmes intended to address anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies

Multifocal Assessment Reveals Anemia-related Program Gaps and Implementation Challenges in Ghana (P10-088-19)

Objectives: Despite existing program efforts in Ghana, incidence of childhood anemia remain high. This study describes existing childhood anemia prevention and treatment strategies and assessed implementation gaps. Methods: A cross-sectional study using purposive sampling/snowballing technique identified organizations implementing childhood anemia prevention and treatment programs. Interview guides constructed around UNICEF\u27s conceptual framework of malnutrition identified programs addressing each cause of anemia. Interviews were administered via in-person and phone in August 2018. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded/analyzed using Dedoose software version 8.1.8. Results: Twenty-five officials from Universities (n = 2), local non-governmental (n = 4), government departments (n = 6) and international (n = 2) agencies completed interviews. Reported contextual immediate causes of anemia were malaria, diarrhea, worm infestation and inadequate dietary intake. All organizations implemented programs addressing ≥1 of the immediate causes, with many overlapping programs from different organizations addressing inadequate dietary intake in the same district. Government-assisted programs and Universities reported national scope; non-governmental/private organizations had regional/district focus. The contextual underlying causes reported were inadequate nutrition knowledge, food safety and environmental hygiene, food insecurity and health services. All organizations were implementing programs addressing ≥1 of these underlying causes. Few programs addressed the reported basic causes namely, inadequate human resources (n = 5) and housing/water/toilet facilities (n = 3) and poverty/financial resources (n = 2). Reported program gaps included inadequate human resources and scarce funding for projects. The main observed gap was insufficient communication and integration between programs implementer. Conclusions: Multiple programs, sometimes with overlapping focus in the same region were addressing anemia. Re-designing programs to prioritize communication between current program may result in efficient use of limited funding and human resources. New programs may focus on improving financial investment in programs and more personnel

Findings from a mixed methods study of an interprofessional faculty development program

Forty faculty members from eight schools participated in a year-long National Faculty Development Program (NFDP) conducted in 2012–2013, aimed at developing faculty knowledge and skills for interprofessional education (IPE). The NFDP included two live conferences. Between conferences, faculty teams implemented self-selected IPE projects at their home institutions and participated in coaching and peer-support conference calls. This paper describes program outcomes. A mixed methods approach was adopted. Data were gathered through online surveys and semi-structured interviews. The study explored whether faculty were satisfied with the program, believed the program was effective in developing knowledge and skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating IPE, and planned to continue newly-implemented IPE and faculty development (FD). Peer support and networking were two of the greatest perceived benefits. Further, this multi-institutional program appears to have facilitated early organizational change by bringing greater contextual understanding to assumptions made at the local level that in turn could influence hidden curricula and networking. These findings may guide program planning for future FD to support IPE

Domestic fuel price and economic sectors in Malaysia: a future of renewable energy?

This study empirically examines the relation between the domestic fuel prices with the ten disaggregated economic sectors in Malaysia with the spanning of data from 1990:Q1 to 2007:Q4. We found that only three sectors (agriculture, trade and other services sectors) are cointegrated with the fuel price and fuel price does Granger cause these sectors. Despite the evidence of non-cointegrated in most of the economic sectors, fuel price able to influence these sectors over a longer period. Policy recommendation from this study includes the utilization of the renewable energy (RE) as a strategic plan is the long-term solution due to the high dependency and increasing demand of energy. While energy prices have experienced some correction in response to signs of slower global growth, sufficient government enforcement and support need to be established to facilitate successful renewable energy implementation in Malaysia

Domestic fuel price and economic sectors in Malaysia: a future of renewable energy?

This study empirically examines the relation between the domestic fuel prices with the ten disaggregated economic sectors in Malaysia with the spanning of data from 1990:Q1 to 2007:Q4. We found that only three sectors (agriculture, trade and other services sectors) are cointegrated with the fuel price and fuel price does Granger cause these sectors. Despite the evidence of non-cointegrated in most of the economic sectors, fuel price able to influence these sectors over a longer period. Policy recommendation from this study includes the utilization of the renewable energy (RE) as a strategic plan is the long-term solution due to the high dependency and increasing demand of energy. While energy prices have experienced some correction in response to signs of slower global growth, sufficient government enforcement and support need to be established to facilitate successful renewable energy implementation in Malaysia