Introduction: Adequate, nutritive and safe foods are crucial for growth and healthy
living. Adolescents are vulnerable to food insecurity. This study was aimed at
determining the demographic factors, food security status, health-related quality of
life (HRQOL) and body weight status of adolescents in Mentakab, Pahang, Malaysia.
Methods: This study involved 160 households that comprised pairs of mothers and
children aged 13-17 years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers
to assess their demographic and food security status (Radimer/Cornell Hunger and
Food Insecurity Instrument). Meanwhile, the children answered a self-administered
HRQOL questionnaire (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, PedsQL). Body weight
and height were measured to obtain the body mass index (BMI). Results: About
48.8% of the adolescents were from households with food insecurity. The number
of school-going siblings, occupation status of mother, occupation status of father,
household income and house ownership status were predictors of food security
status (p