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Association between frequency of processed and ultraprocessed
food consumption with lifestyle habits score
for cancer prevention among adults in Malaysia
Nur Mahirah Amani Mohammad, Nur Ridzwana Ramli & Razinah Sharif
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2021-0139
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality globally. Processed and ultra-processed foods are reported to be high in energy, sugar, and unhealthy fats, while low in fibre, vitamins and minerals, that can increase the risk of cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving adults aged 18-59 years was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia (n=122). Sociodemographic data were obtained through a questionnaire and lifestyle habits score for cancer prevention was assessed using MyGenomSihat©. The food frequency questionnaire used had four groups (i.e., unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods) containing 53 food items to evaluate the frequency of food consumption. All data obtained were self-reported by the participants.
Results: Mean age was 27.6±8.1 years with a majority (76.2%) having household income of less than
Conclusion: Most subjects had
satisfactory lifestyle habits scores for cancer prevention. Interventions are needed
to improve lifestyle habits among the targeted population for cancer prevention.
Key words: adult, cancer, MyGenomSihat©, NOVA, ultra-processed food
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Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality globally. Processed and ultra-processed foods are reported to be high in energy, sugar, and unhealthy fats, while low in fibre, vitamins and minerals, that can increase the risk of cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving adults aged 18-59 years was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia (n=122). Sociodemographic data were obtained through a questionnaire and lifestyle habits score for cancer prevention was assessed using MyGenomSihat©. The food frequency questionnaire used had four groups (i.e., unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods) containing 53 food items to evaluate the frequency of food consumption. All data obtained were self-reported by the participants.
Results: Mean age was 27.6±8.1 years with a majority (76.2%) having household income of less than
Key words: adult, cancer, MyGenomSihat©, NOVA, ultra-processed food
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Potential risk of stunting in children under five years
living by the riverside: A systematic review
Ridha Restila, Bambang Wispriyono, Ririn Arminsih, Umar Fahmi
Achmadi, Tri Yunis Miko, Defriman Djafri & Miko Hananto
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2022-0143
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Stunting, or linear growth failure, is defined by a height-for-age z-score of below -2SD according to WHO growth standard. Stunting can have short-, medium-, and long-term consequences. Rivers have an important role in human life. In several riverside areas, households still depend on the river for their livelihoods and health. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of stunting in children living by the riverside and its related factors.
Methods: Epidemiological studies published from PUBMED, MEDLINE via EBSCOHost, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Research Gate databases were systematically searched. The publication period was not restricted. Only open-access and English articles were examined.
Results: A total of 20 from 1200 studies were reviewed. The prevalence of stunting ranged from 20% to 48.3%. The other outcomes besides stunting were wasting and underweight status. There were 83 risk factors studied, and the most studied variables were age, gender, diarrhoea, water source, parent’s education, immunisation, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices (6 to 13 studies). Household water sources from rivers and economic status were consistently correlated with stunting. Majority of the risk factors studied were related to nutrition. From the environmental aspect, the most studied risk factors were water sources and sanitation.
Conclusion: Children living by the riverside face a significant risk of stunting attributed to the consistent correlation between household water sources from rivers and economic status, affecting various aspects of daily life beyond drinking water. Future research is needed to examine the impact of environmental factors and the behaviours of riverside communities.
Key words: children, risk factor, river, riverside, stunting
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Introduction: Stunting, or linear growth failure, is defined by a height-for-age z-score of below -2SD according to WHO growth standard. Stunting can have short-, medium-, and long-term consequences. Rivers have an important role in human life. In several riverside areas, households still depend on the river for their livelihoods and health. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of stunting in children living by the riverside and its related factors.
Methods: Epidemiological studies published from PUBMED, MEDLINE via EBSCOHost, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Research Gate databases were systematically searched. The publication period was not restricted. Only open-access and English articles were examined.
Results: A total of 20 from 1200 studies were reviewed. The prevalence of stunting ranged from 20% to 48.3%. The other outcomes besides stunting were wasting and underweight status. There were 83 risk factors studied, and the most studied variables were age, gender, diarrhoea, water source, parent’s education, immunisation, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices (6 to 13 studies). Household water sources from rivers and economic status were consistently correlated with stunting. Majority of the risk factors studied were related to nutrition. From the environmental aspect, the most studied risk factors were water sources and sanitation.
Conclusion: Children living by the riverside face a significant risk of stunting attributed to the consistent correlation between household water sources from rivers and economic status, affecting various aspects of daily life beyond drinking water. Future research is needed to examine the impact of environmental factors and the behaviours of riverside communities.
Key words: children, risk factor, river, riverside, stunting
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Characteristics of dietary intakes including NOVA foods
among pre-adolescents living in urban Kuala Lumpur –
Findings from the PREBONE-Kids study
Wai Yew Yang, Soon Yee Wong, Shu Hwa Ong, Kanimolli Arasu, Chung Yuan
Chang, Megan Hueh Zan Chong, Meenal Mavinkurve, Erwin Jiayuan Khoo,
Karuthan Chinna, Connie M. Weaver & Winnie Siew Swee Chee
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2022-0068
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Evidence showed considerable variability of health risk factors within different socioeconomic groups. This study aimed to characterise dietary intakes by total household income among a sample of Malaysian pre-adolescents in urban Kuala Lumpur.
Methods: Baseline data of 243 healthy, pre-adolescent children between 9 and 11 years old including socio-demographic background (gender, ethnicity, and total household monthly income), anthropometry (body weight and height), and 7-day diet histories were collected. Secondary analysis was performed on dietary intakes to quantify food groups based on the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines and NOVA classification systems besides nutrients. Differences and associations between total monthly household income categories with anthropometry and dietary intakes were tested using independent t-test/Mann-Whitney U (depending on normality) and chi-square tests, respectively.
Results: Most children in this study population had dietary intakes below the recommended serving sizes for five food groups, except meat/poultry (195.2±107.2%) and fish (110.1±106.3%) and consumed about 32% of energy from ultra-processed foods (NOVA food group 4). While there was no difference in dietary intake between the bottom 40% with the middle 40% and high 20% household income groups, the percentage of energy contributed by NOVA food group 4 (processed fats/oils, condiments, and sauces) was higher in the bottom 40% households (p=0.024).
Conclusion: Most pre-adolescent children in this study, regardless of household income, did not meet dietary recommendations and ate diets comprised of less nutritious foods. Comprehensive approaches that aim to improve dietary patterns and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases are warranted.
Key words: children; dietary intake; income; Malaysian; NOVA group
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Introduction: Evidence showed considerable variability of health risk factors within different socioeconomic groups. This study aimed to characterise dietary intakes by total household income among a sample of Malaysian pre-adolescents in urban Kuala Lumpur.
Methods: Baseline data of 243 healthy, pre-adolescent children between 9 and 11 years old including socio-demographic background (gender, ethnicity, and total household monthly income), anthropometry (body weight and height), and 7-day diet histories were collected. Secondary analysis was performed on dietary intakes to quantify food groups based on the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines and NOVA classification systems besides nutrients. Differences and associations between total monthly household income categories with anthropometry and dietary intakes were tested using independent t-test/Mann-Whitney U (depending on normality) and chi-square tests, respectively.
Results: Most children in this study population had dietary intakes below the recommended serving sizes for five food groups, except meat/poultry (195.2±107.2%) and fish (110.1±106.3%) and consumed about 32% of energy from ultra-processed foods (NOVA food group 4). While there was no difference in dietary intake between the bottom 40% with the middle 40% and high 20% household income groups, the percentage of energy contributed by NOVA food group 4 (processed fats/oils, condiments, and sauces) was higher in the bottom 40% households (p=0.024).
Conclusion: Most pre-adolescent children in this study, regardless of household income, did not meet dietary recommendations and ate diets comprised of less nutritious foods. Comprehensive approaches that aim to improve dietary patterns and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases are warranted.
Key words: children; dietary intake; income; Malaysian; NOVA group
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Examining the relationship between fast-food and sitdown
restaurant consumption frequency and dietary
patterns among adults in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia
Enas Alwagait, Arwa Alhassoun, Salma Abulkhair, Shahad Altwijry, Haya
Alajlan, Hajer Alaali & Nahla Mohammed Bawazeer
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2022-0078
ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study assessed the association between dietary patterns and the frequency of eating at fast-food or sit-down restaurants.
Methods: A crosssectional study, with a sample of adults living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA), was conducted between January and March 2021. An online, self-administered survey was conducted using social media and WhatsApp. A total of 399 adults living in Riyadh were included; 40.4% were males, with a mean age of 35 and standard deviation (SD) of 12 years, and had no significant health problems.
Results: Using principal component analysis to analyse 15 food groups based on the food items consumed, four dietary patterns were extracted: Western, unhealthy, plant-based, and healthy. After adjusting for potential covariates, a higher frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants was significantly associated with unhealthy dietary patterns [odds ratio (OR) = 4.85, 95.0% confidence interval (CI) = 1.80, 12.59]. In contrast, participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants showed lower odds of adhering to a healthy dietary pattern (OR = 0.29, 95.0% CI = 0.11, 0.71). No significant association was found between participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at sit-down restaurants and their dietary patterns.
Conclusion: Frequently eating at fast-food restaurants was associated with increased odds of adherence to less healthy dietary patterns and negatively associated with adherence to a healthy pattern. No association was found between sit-down restaurants and any of the identified dietary patterns. The present findings can assist stakeholders and policymakers in developing strategic plans and policies for targeted interventions for this population.
Key words: dietary pattern, fast-food restaurants, principal component analysis, Saudi Arabia, sit-down restaurants
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Introduction: This study assessed the association between dietary patterns and the frequency of eating at fast-food or sit-down restaurants.
Methods: A crosssectional study, with a sample of adults living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA), was conducted between January and March 2021. An online, self-administered survey was conducted using social media and WhatsApp. A total of 399 adults living in Riyadh were included; 40.4% were males, with a mean age of 35 and standard deviation (SD) of 12 years, and had no significant health problems.
Results: Using principal component analysis to analyse 15 food groups based on the food items consumed, four dietary patterns were extracted: Western, unhealthy, plant-based, and healthy. After adjusting for potential covariates, a higher frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants was significantly associated with unhealthy dietary patterns [odds ratio (OR) = 4.85, 95.0% confidence interval (CI) = 1.80, 12.59]. In contrast, participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants showed lower odds of adhering to a healthy dietary pattern (OR = 0.29, 95.0% CI = 0.11, 0.71). No significant association was found between participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at sit-down restaurants and their dietary patterns.
Conclusion: Frequently eating at fast-food restaurants was associated with increased odds of adherence to less healthy dietary patterns and negatively associated with adherence to a healthy pattern. No association was found between sit-down restaurants and any of the identified dietary patterns. The present findings can assist stakeholders and policymakers in developing strategic plans and policies for targeted interventions for this population.
Key words: dietary pattern, fast-food restaurants, principal component analysis, Saudi Arabia, sit-down restaurants
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Sports nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice
among male gymnasium users in Jordan
Mohammad Al-Quran, Ayu Suzailiana Muhamad, Nur Syamsina Ahmad &
Foong Kiew Ooi
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2022-0112
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Proper nutrition is important for the health and performance of athletes. However, a lack of knowledge might lead to negative attitude and poor dietary practices. This study aimed to determine the levels of nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among male gymnasium users in Jordan.
Methods: A total of 138 male gymnasium users (21.1±2.8 years) from Jordan were recruited. Their height, weight, body mass index, and age were recorded. The KAP-Sports nutrition questionnaire that contains 25 questions regarding knowledge on basic sports nutrition, 12 questions regarding usual food choices and practices, and 20 questions on attitude towards nutrition and sports-enhancing diet were administrated. Descriptive and Pearson correlation analyses were used to analyse the data.
Results: Majority of the participants had moderate knowledge on sports nutrition (77.6%), neutral attitude (84.7%), and fair dietary practice (67.4%). Mean score for knowledge, attitude and practice were 18.1±2.6, 58.8±6.2, and 29.7±3.6, respectively. There was significant, weak correlation between knowledge and attitude (r=0.18, p=0.048), as well as between knowledge and practice (r=0.20, p=0.018).
Conclusion: Knowledge is important to affect positive attitude and good dietary practices. However, gymnasium users in Jordan did not have a high level of knowledge that could lead to their positive attitude and good dietary practices. Thus, sports nutrition education is recommended to ensure that adequate and correct knowledge are disseminated to gymnasium users.
Key words: exercise, gym goers, KAP, physically active
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Introduction: Proper nutrition is important for the health and performance of athletes. However, a lack of knowledge might lead to negative attitude and poor dietary practices. This study aimed to determine the levels of nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among male gymnasium users in Jordan.
Methods: A total of 138 male gymnasium users (21.1±2.8 years) from Jordan were recruited. Their height, weight, body mass index, and age were recorded. The KAP-Sports nutrition questionnaire that contains 25 questions regarding knowledge on basic sports nutrition, 12 questions regarding usual food choices and practices, and 20 questions on attitude towards nutrition and sports-enhancing diet were administrated. Descriptive and Pearson correlation analyses were used to analyse the data.
Results: Majority of the participants had moderate knowledge on sports nutrition (77.6%), neutral attitude (84.7%), and fair dietary practice (67.4%). Mean score for knowledge, attitude and practice were 18.1±2.6, 58.8±6.2, and 29.7±3.6, respectively. There was significant, weak correlation between knowledge and attitude (r=0.18, p=0.048), as well as between knowledge and practice (r=0.20, p=0.018).
Conclusion: Knowledge is important to affect positive attitude and good dietary practices. However, gymnasium users in Jordan did not have a high level of knowledge that could lead to their positive attitude and good dietary practices. Thus, sports nutrition education is recommended to ensure that adequate and correct knowledge are disseminated to gymnasium users.
Key words: exercise, gym goers, KAP, physically active
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