The objective of this research is to develop an “energy” snack bar supplying energy and
electrolytes in one bar by utilizing local Malaysian ingredients. The local ingredients used to make
this snack bar were banana, glutinous rice flour, and coconut milk. It is a wholesome nutritious
food for different age groups from adolescents to elderly people. Proximate composition, total
carbohydrate, energy value, and sensory quality of prototype were determined. The developed
snack bar contains 13.23% of moisture, 1.13% of ash, 6.36% of crude protein, 22.39% of
crude fat, 1.16% of crude fibre, 56.89% of total carbohydrate, and 454.51 kcal of energy. The
“energy” snack bar was highly acceptable with desirable sensory quality by all consumers.
Objectives: The objectives of our study were to determine the mean age of onset of thelarche and menarche,
to determine the ages of each stage of puberty and to investigate if there are any ethnic differences in these
ages amongst female adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving three secondary schools in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. A total of
730 students were recruited via stratified random sampling. Self-administered survey forms on menstruation
and puberty were used.
Results: Out of 730 recruited respondents, 385 (52.74%) completed the survey and informed consents were
obtained from their parents/legal guardians. Our respondents’ ages ranged between 13 to 17 years old with
the median (IQR) age of 14.00(2.00) years. With regards to ethnicity, 329 (85.50%) were Malay, 46 (11.90%)
were Chinese, 9 (2.30%) were Indian and 1(0.30%) was a Bajau. The mean age for breast development
(thelarche) and menarche were 11.72 ±1.10 and 11.97±1.11 years respectively. The majority, 363 (94.30%),
out of 385 respondents had attained menarche. There appeared to be a later onset of puberty amongst
Malays comparatively.
Conclusion: The mean ages of pubertal onset and menarche amongst female adolescents in the Cheras area
are similar to those reported worldwide.