Malaysian Journal of Nutrition

INTRODUCTION: There is a pressing need to better understand the complex biochemical pathways that lead to the pathogenesis of obesity. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant capacity have been identified to be associated with obesity. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels of Malaysian subjects and to evaluate its potential association with obesity and related anthropometric measurements. METHODS: Plasma TAC of 362 multi-ethnic Malaysian subjects from the Kampar Health Clinic (138 males, 224 females; 124 ethnic Malays, 152 Chinese, 86 Indians; 192 non-obese, 170 obese) was measured using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) 96-well plate assay...

INTRODUCTION: Leptin resistance may be intensified by insulin resistance. This vicious cycle between insulin resistance and leptin resistance may increase feelings of hunger and reduce energy expenditure and ultimately increase obesity. In this study, postprandial changes in leptin, insulin and glucose were compared between healthy subjects and patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Six men with Type 2 DM and seven healthy men (matched for age and body mass index), after 12 hours of fasting, ate the same Iranian meal (chelo kebab kobibeh) consisting of 46% carbohydrate, 21% protein, 33% fat and 743 kcal energy...

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with difficulties in learning, behaviour and psychosocial adjustment that persist into adulthood. Decreased omega-3 fatty acids and increased inflammation or oxidative stress may contribute to neuro-developmental and psychiatric disorders such as ADHD. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of n-3 supplementation on hyperactivity, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in children with ADHD. METHODS: In this double blind study, 103 children (6-12 years) with ADHD receiving maintenance therapy were assigned randomly into two groups...

INTRODUCTION: Recent findings show a high incidence of stroke among slum dwellers in Kolkata, India. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the association of different adiposity indices to blood pressure (BP) and hypertension (HT) among slum-dwelling Bengalee men in Kolkata. METHODS: Measurements of height, weight, waist and hip-circumferences, biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) of 470 men aged 18-60 years were taken...

INTRODUCTION: Gout and hyperuricaemia attributed to genetic and lifestyle factors have been associated with several chronic diseases. This study aimed to determine the association and interaction effects between vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) gene polymorphisms (rs1870377 and rs2071559) and dietary patterns on blood uric acid in Malay and Indian adults. METHODS: Dietary intakes of 153 Malays and 177 Indians were obtained using a food frequency questionnaire for the construction of dietary patterns using factor analysis...

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Multidimensional Body Image Scale (MBIS), a seven-factor, 62-item scale developed for Malaysian female adolescents. This scale was evaluated among male and female Malaysian university students. METHODS: A total of 671 university students (52.2% women and 47.8% men) completed a self-administered questionnaire on MBIS, Eating Attitude Test-26, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Their height and weight were measured...

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing habitual added sugar consumption of adults in the Klang Valley. METHODS: In the development phase, a 24-hour dietary recall (24-hr DR) was used to determine food items to be included into the FFQ among adults from three major ethnicities (n = 51). In the validation phase, the FFQ was further validated against a reference method which was a multiple-pass 24-hr DR among 125 adults in Klang Valley...

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INTRODUCTION: Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is an important cultured fish that is widely distributed in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to improve the growth performance and nutrient contents of the fish using five different types of feeds. METHODS: Tilapia fingerlings were fed two types of commercial fish feeds (Feed-1 and Feed-2), Spirulina flakes (Feed-3), Feed-2 mixed with Spirulina flakes (Feed-4) and manually mixed feed made from a mixture of mustard oil cake and rice bran (Feed-5)...

INTRODUCTION: In order to overcome the stability problems of oils and fats, synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) have widespread use as food additives in many countries. Recent reports reveal that these compounds may be implicated in many health risks, including cancer and carcinogenesis. Hence, there is a move towards the use of natural antioxidants of plant origin to replace these synthetic antioxidants...

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity and quality of life among gastrointestinal cancer survivors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among gastrointestinal cancer survivors attending the oncology outpatient clinic in Hospital Selayang, Malaysia. RESULTS: A total of 70 gastrointestinal cancer survivors with a mean age of 52.54 +/- 14.59 years (95% CI: 47...

INTRODUCTION: A qualitative comparative case study was conducted to compare and contrast food taboos and avoidance practices during pregnancy among Orang Asli or indigenous Temiar women in four distinct locations that represent different lifestyle experiences and cultural practices. METHODS: Through snowballing sampling, a total of 38 participants took part in five focus groups: one group each in Pos Simpor and Pos Tohoi in Kelantan state, one group in Batu 12, Gombak in Selangor state, and two groups in a regroupment scheme (RPSOA) in Kuala Betis, Kelantan...

INTRODUCTION: Early childhood is a period during which many factors influence the development of lifelong eating habits. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of young children and to determine factors related to eating habits. METHODS: A total of 992 children aged 5-6 years attending kindergartens that participated in the Bright Start Nutrition programme in the Klang Valley were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements were taken and body mass index (BMI) calculated...

INTRODUCTION: Meal patterns have received little attention in nutrition studies. The aim of this study is to present the findings on general meal patterns of Malaysian adults. METHODS: The Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey (MANS), carried out in 2002 and 2003, involved 6,928 adults selected by stratified random sampling from all households by zone in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. RESULTS: In general, the results showed that most respondents (74...

INTRODUCTION: There is limited data on childhood obesity and its impact on children from diverse cultural backgrounds. This study is aimed at determining the association between obesity, self-esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Malaysian urban primary school children of different ethnicity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 311 children aged 11-13 years from primary schools in Kuching, Sarawak. Self-esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were measured using the Lawrence Self-esteem Questionnaire (LAWSEQ) questionnaire and the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), respectively...

INTRODUCTION: Persons with disabilities (PWD) are susceptible to malnutrition. Caregivers or teachers in rehabilitation centres may not be adequately trained in nutrition management of PWD. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice among teachers in community-based rehabilitation centres for PWD; and (ii) to evaluate changes in the nutrition knowledge and attitude of the teachers before and after exposure to a training workshop on nutrition management for PWD...

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional decline is typically accepted as a consequent of the course of treatment for cancer. This study aimed to (1) assess body weight status and dietary intake of breast cancer patients on chemotherapy and (2) to correlate Body Mass Index (BMI), energy and protein intake with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) profile. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two government hospitals in the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia using convenience sampling...

INTRODUCTION: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine bone health status and nutrient intakes among post-menopausal women residing in low cost houses in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. METHODS: A total of 125 subjects aged 60 +/- 4 years who had attained menopause at age 50 +/- 5 years participated in this study. Subjects' weight and height were measured and calculated for body mass index (BMI). They were also assessed for bone health status using the Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS)...

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to develop demi-span equations for predicting height in the Malaysian elderly and to explore the applicability of previous published demi-span equations derived from adult populations to the elderly. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Malaysian elderly aged 60 years and older. Subjects were residents of eight shelter homes in Peninsular Malaysia; 204 men and 124 women of Malay, Chinese and Indian ethnicity were included...

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalised elderly patients are at high risk of malnutrition due to the presence of chronic diseases and inadequate food intake. It was on this premise that a Malnutrition Risk Screening Tool-Hospital (MRST-H) was developed for identifying the risk of malnutrition among Malaysian elderly patients. METHODS: A total of 181 respondents aged 65 years and above who had been admitted to the Geriatric Ward of the University Malaya Medical Centre were recruited...