DESIGN: Food choice was assessed using the validated New Zealand Adolescent FFQ. Principal components analysis was used to determine dietary patterns. Trained research assistants measured participants' height and body mass. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed in a subset of participants using the multistage 20 m shuttle run. The level and stage were recorded, and the corresponding VO2max was calculated. Differences in mean VO2max according to sex and BMI were assessed using t tests, while associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and dietary patterns were examined using linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, school attended, socio-economic deprivation and BMI.
SETTING: Secondary schools in Otago, New Zealand.
SUBJECTS: Students (n 279) aged 14-18 years who completed an online lifestyle survey during a class period.
RESULTS: Principal components analysis produced three dietary patterns: 'Treat Foods', 'Fruits and Vegetables' and 'Basic Foods'. The 279 participants who provided questionnaire data and completed cardiorespiratory fitness testing had a mean age of 15·7 (sd 0·9) years. Mean VO2max was 45·8 (sd 6·9) ml/kg per min. The 'Fruits and Vegetables' pattern was positively associated with VO2max in the total sample (β=0·04; 95%CI 0·02, 0·07), girls (β=0·06; 95% CI 0·03, 0·10) and boys (β=0·03; 95% CI 0·01, 0·05).
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that increase in cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a healthier dietary pattern, suggesting both should be targeted as part of a global lifestyle approach. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this association in relation to health outcomes in New Zealand adolescents.
METHODS: Population-based surveys included 30,721 Malay, 10,865 Indian and 25,296 Chinese adults from The Malaysian Cohort, and 413,737 White adults from UK Biobank. Sex-specific linear regression models estimated associations of anthropometry and body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], fat mass, appendicular lean mass) with systolic blood pressure (SBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and HbA1c.
RESULTS: Compared to Malay and Indian participants, Chinese adults had lower BMI and fat mass while White participants were taller with more appendicular lean mass. For BMI and fat mass, positive associations with SBP and HbA1c were strongest among the Chinese and Malay and weaker in White participants. Associations with triglycerides were considerably weaker in those of Indian ethnicity (eg 0.09 [0.02] mmol/L per 5 kg/m2 BMI in men, vs 0.38 [0.02] in Chinese). For appendicular lean mass, there were weak associations among men; but stronger positive associations with SBP, triglycerides, and HbA1c, and inverse associations with LDL-C, among Malay and Indian women. Associations between WC and risk factors were generally strongest in Chinese and weakest in Indian ethnicities, although this pattern was reversed for HbA1c.
CONCLUSION: There were distinct patterns of adiposity and body composition and cardiovascular risk factors across ethnic groups. We need to better understand the mechanisms relating body composition with cardiovascular risk to attenuate the increasing global burden of obesity-related disease.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 independently mobile OP (males 32%) in seven LTC homes in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. Trained personnel measured their anthropometrics, body composition, gait speed, hand grip strength and timed up-and-go (TUG) duration. Criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia were used to identify the presence of sarcopenia. The mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) was used to determine their nutritional status. Additionally, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors associated with pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia.
Results: Pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia was detected in 103 (51%) OP. The significant risk factors were body mass index (BMI, weight/height2; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.44, P < 0.001), percentage of body fat (PBF; AOR = 1.26, P < 0.001), age group (≥ 80 years; AOR = 3.63, P = 0.025) and 'at risk of malnutrition' status (AOR = 2.63, P = 0.049).
Conclusion: Sarcopenia is common among OP in LCT homes. The risk increases with decreasing BMI, increasing PBF, age ≥ 80 years and suboptimal nutrition status.
METHODS/DESIGN: This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the SNP between intervention and comparison groups before and after the SNP, and after a 3-month follow-up. The SNP consisted of two main components, whereby three nutrition education sessions were implemented by trained teachers using three standardised modules, and healthy school food environment was implemented by the canteen food handlers with the provision of healthy menu to children during school recess times. Children from intervention group participated in the SNP, in addition to the standard Physical and Health Curriculum. The comparison group attended only the standardised Physical and Health Curriculum and the school canteen food handlers were reminded to follow the standard canteen guidelines from the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The assessment parameters in evaluating the effectiveness of the programme were knowledge, attitude and practice on nutrition, eating behaviours, physical activity, body composition, psychological distress, cognitive performance and health-related quality of life. Assessments were conducted at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up.
DISCUSSION: It was hypothesised that the SNP would be effective in promoting healthy lifestyle among school children, and further contributes in preventing malnutrition problem, enhancing cognitive performance and improving health-related quality of life among school children. Findings of the present study can be expanded to other schools in future on ways to improve nutrition education and healthy school food environment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trial Registration UMIN000032914 (Date of registration: 7th June 2018, retrospectively registered).
PROTOCOL VERSION: 16th September 2019 & Version 4.
METHODS: We recruited 48 peers (median age: 46 (IQR = 11) years old) into four peer groups, who underwent 3 months of PERSUADE, followed by 3 months of follow-up period. Statistical analyses were conducted at post-intervention and post-follow-up to assess the changes in nutrition intake, anthropometry, and metabolic parameters.
RESULTS: Although there were significant overall increases in total carbohydrate intake and glycemic load (both p < 0.001), we noted significant reductions in the intakes of total energy and fat (both p < 0.001). Physical activity (total METS/week) also showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001). Overall, significant but marginal improvements in anthropometric and vital metabolic parameters were also observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility trial supported the adoption of PERSUADE, though there is a need to assess the long-term impact of the peer support program in local community settings.