Mother’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practices and its Influence toward Nutritional Status of Children in Terengganu

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the nutritional status, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) regarding stunting among mothers and its relationship with stunting among children below two years old in Terengganu. A total of 330 mother-child pairs from Terengganu were recruited through purposive sampling. Anthropometric measurement comprised weight and height. Information on socio–demographic, and a validated questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of stunting were selfreported. Chi-square test was applied in this study with p<0.05 considered significant outcome. The majority (61.2%) of the mothers aged 30−39 years old, with tertiary educational level (51.5%) and in the low income group (86.4%). The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 25.2%, 9.4% and 14.2% respectively for the children below two years old in Terengganu. KAP analysis revealed that 44.5% of mothers had moderate level of knowledge, while 68.8% and 92.7% had good level of attitude and practice, respectively. A significant association (p<0.05) was found between knowledge of mothers with stunting among the children, while no significant association between attitudes and practice with stunting. The present study found that mothers’ knowledge significantly impacted their child’s growth status in relation to stunting. Future intervention programmes should incorporate nutrition education focusing on mothers’ knowledge to prevent stunting among children

Breakfast Intake and its Association with Body Mass Index among Pre-schoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

In Malaysia, breakfast is the most frequently skipped meal. Skipping breakfast has been associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. However, this relationship has not been investigated widely among preschoolers in Malaysia. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between breakfast intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) among preschoolers in Taska Permata Keluarga (TPK), Kuala Nerus. A total of 131 Malays preschoolers aged four to six years old were recruited from nine TPK using convenience sampling method. Information on sociodemographic, breakfast intake pattern and anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were obtained. Respondents consisted of 74 (56.5%) boys and 57 (43.5%) girls. Anthropometric results showed that 8.4% preschoolers were overweight and obese. Among the preschoolers, 22.1% of them were breakfast skippers. In terms of gender breakdown, 20.3% boys and 24.6% girls skipped breakfast. There was a significant association between breakfast intake and BMI status among preschoolers (p = 0.003). This indicated that preschoolers that skipped breakfast were associated with overweight or obese compared to those who consumed breakfast daily. Breakfast consumption is a marker of a healthy lifestyle which can reduce the risk of childhood obesity. This habit should be inculcated during this critical period of life in which parents play a vital role in promoting breakfast consumption among preschoolers

Association between weight status and body image perception among female adolescents in Terengganu

Body image is the picture of how our body is perceived and stored in our minds. During puberty, many changes occur in the body of adolescents. Often, a change in physical appearance has an impact on the levels of the body’s satisfaction. Thus, it is crucial to assess the body image among adolescents to ensure the wellbeing of both physical and mental health is at the optimal stage. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the body fat percentage of female adolescents. Then, to evaluate the association between weight status and body image perception. Lastly, to assess whether the attitudes towards body image are predictive of female adolescents’ weight status. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 198 female adolescents in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height, and BMI was determined. Body composition was assessed by using Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis through Bodystat Quadscan 4000 instrument. Body image perception was measured using Stunkard’s Figure Rating Scale and Attitudes towards Body Image that was adapted from the Multidimensional Body Self Relation Questionnaire (MBSRQ). A total of 27.8% of female adolescents were overweight and 1.0% were obese by body fat. Among the female adolescents, 62.5% were dissatisfied with their body image, although 57.5% of them were in the normal weight category. Pearson’s Chi-Square test revealed there is an association between weight status and body image perception among female adolescents (p<0.045). Based on the Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, there is a significant linear relationship between attitudes towards body image, the domain of comparison of body shape, and BMI (p<0.005). Thus, for every 1 unit increase in the domain of comparison of body shape, there will be a 0.570 decrease in BMI. Comparison of body shape is a significant predicting factor for BMI. In conclusion, further study should be carried out to investigate the factors that can lead to the development of dissatisfaction with body image and the effects of getting negative body image in life of the adolescents during their adolescent’s phase

Association between pubertal status and body fat percentage among Malay adolescents in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

Body composition is defined as the proportion of fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) in our body. It is an important aspect of both individual’s and populations’ health. The rising prevalence of obesity among adolescents has highlighted the significance of body fat measurement and the factors that influence it. Therefore, this study aims to measure the body fat percentage (BF%) by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and to observe its association with pubertal status among Malay adolescents in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Adolescents from 10 to 16 years old were the subject of this crosssectional study. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured anthropometrically, and body composition was determined using Bodystat Quadscan 4000 through BIA procedures. Questionnaires consist of socio-demographic characteristics and Tanner staging for the determination of pubertal status. A total of 310 students participated in this study (female, n=165, male n=145). The percentage of overweight and obese adolescents in Kuala Nerus was 12.9% and 10.6%, respectively. The difference in BF% between genders was significant (p<0.001), with pubertal girls having a greater BF% than boys (28.05±7.31% vs 17.20±8.43%). Between pubertal status and BF%, there was a significant difference (p<0.05). However, there was no significant association between BF% and pubertal status. Gender and pubertal status have an impact on the BF%. Thus, pubertal status should be considered when measuring BF% because it varies by individual and gender

Pedometer-determined physical activity among primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively measure physical activity and its association with sociodemographic factors among Malaysian primary school-age children. Methods: A total of 111 primary school children in Kuala Lumpur were selected through random sampling. Activity pattern was determined using pedometers and differences by sex, ethnicity and body mass index categories were analysed. The relationship between pedometer-determined physical activity and sociodemographic factors were also studied. Results: Overall, boys attained significantly higher daily step counts than girls (9573 ± 4145 vs 7313 ± 2697). Significant difference in daily step counts between boys and girls were observed during weekdays ( p <0.01), weekends ( p <0.05) and total mean step counts ( p <0.01). Malay ethnicity showed higher daily step counts during weekdays than weekends ( p <0.05). Compared with boys, girls had higher odds (OR=5.58; 95% CI 1.12, 27.77) of not meeting the recommended daily step counts. Those who had low physical activity levels had higher odds (OR=15.75; 95% CI 1.78, 139.33) of not meeting recommended daily step counts than children who had moderate physical activity level. Conclusion: Boys were significantly more active than girls and physical activity was greater during weekdays than on weekends. The primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur were sedentary, with minimum physical activity being observed. Differences in sexes and physical activity levels influenced pedometer step counts in children

Factors Associated With Malnutrition in Children Under 2 Years Old in Terengganu, Malaysia

The importance of the first 1000 days of life for children has been acknowledged as a crucial phase for malnutrition prevention, where understanding the underlying causes of the problem should be done accordingly. Thus, the study’s objective was to find the factors associated with malnutrition in children under 2 years old. A crosssectional study was conducted involving mothers and children under 2 years old dyads ( n  = 244). A structured and validated socio-demographic and nutrition KAP questionnaire was used whilst weight and height were measured. In this study, 19.3%, 11.8%, and 10.2% of children were stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively, according to the WHO Growth Reference cut-off. By using multiple logistic regression, this study found that children who have low birth weight and whose mothers have poor nutrition knowledge have higher odds of malnutrition. In conclusion, proper prevention planning considering these associated factors should be done to ensure the effectiveness of the malnutrition prevention program