Malnutrition is a major public health problem worldwide. More than half of under-five child deaths are due to undernutrition, mainly in developing countries. Ethiopia is among the highestin Sub-Saharan Africa. While,Somali regionis the worstin Ethiopia.
Food insecurity has become one of the concerning issues in public health. The purpose of this study was to investigate household food security status and its relationship with childhood obesity in Kuantan, Pahang. This comparative cross sectional study was conducted in Kuantan, Pahang among 128 mothers aged 18 to 55 years with the children aged 7 and 13 years. Data on food security status was collected using Radimer/Cornell hunger and food insecurity instrument through telephone survey while children's height and weight as well as socio-demographic data were measured and obtained during schools visits. A total of 23% of the respondents were food secure. However, 77% experienced food insecurity where 52% were household food insecure, 9% women were individual food insecure and 16% fell into the child hunger category. Income (p=0.04), income per capita (p=0.033), household size (p=0.032) and area of living (p=0.001) were the significant risk factors for household food insecurity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children were 60.6% in food insecure households which was higher compared to food-secure households (38.4%). However, there were no significant association between childhood obesity and food security status. This study demonstrates that the prevalence of food insecurity and childhood obesity in Kuantan, Pahang is a major concern. The results warrant the need
for further investigation to identify complex interaction between food insecurity and
childhood obesity.
The aim of this study was to assess picky eating behavior existence among university students. This was an observational cross sectional study design. The sample size was calculated by using single proportion formula based on the adult prevalence of picky eating of 28.7 % which gives a sample of ~ 324 students. However, 407 students online registered to participate out which 403 students responded. A set of questionnaire was posted online. The questionnaire contained three sections which are demographic information, determinants of picky eating behavior and normal eating behaviors. Furthermore, the students were categorized as non-picky eating behavior, moderate picky eating behavior, and extreme picky eating behavior. The statistical analysis
carried out was mainly descriptive in order to determine the extent of picky eating behavior among the university students. Student t-test was used to find the differences between picky and non-picky eaters in terms of eating behaviors. Among the students possessing non picky eating behavior, moderate picky eating behavior and extreme picky eating behavior were 168 (41.69%), were 130(32.26%), 105(26.05%) respectively. On overall basis 235(58.31 %) of the students were having picky eating behavior. The present study revealed that picky eating behavior exists among the university students which need to be addressed.
Introduction: Food insecurity exists whenever people are unable to access sufficient
food at all times for an active and healthy life. University students are a potentially
vulnerable group of people to face food insecurity. This study aimed to identify the
prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among a population of university
students in Kuantan, in the state of Pahang. Methods: Food security status was
identified using the United States Adult Food Security Survey Module (USAFSSM).
Factors, which include demographic background, spending expenditure pattern
and time constraints, were assessed. A total of 316 students were selected through
stratified random sampling throughout six faculties of the International Islamic
University Malaysia, of whom 307 successfully completed the survey. Results:
The result shows that 54.4% of the students were experiencing food insecurity,
from which 32.9% were sub-categorised as low food security and 21.5% as very low
food security. Food insecurity was found to be significantly associated with time
constraints (p
Traditional postpartum practices generally involve food proscriptions and prescriptions. Certain foods are prohibited due to their properties such as “windy”, “cold” and “hot”. As lactating mother needs higher energy and protein intake, this practice may impact their ability to meet their nutritional requirements. Consequently, their health may not be fully restored, wound healing would be slowed, and lactation success may be interfered. This study was conducted in Kuantan, Pahang, to investigate Malay mothers’ perception on confinement dietary practices during postpartum period. A total of 80 respondents aged between 23-43 years old were interviewed using a questionnaire which consisted of an extensive list of food items. It was found that 100% of respondents mentioned that they do observe the traditional postpartum practices after childbirth with most of them (63.0%) chose to confine for up to 44 days. Flavored rice, roti canai and various types of noodle were generally avoided during postpartum period due to their ‘oily/fatty’ property. Tubers, and most fruits and vegetables were also avoided due to their ‘cold’ property. Moreover, the famous ‘reason’ for exclusion of fish was ‘bisa’ and ‘causing itchiness’ for seafood. Milk and dairy products were included in majority of respondents’ diet. Out of 80, 43 (53.8%) respondents avoided soy sauce because it was believed to give negative effect on wound healing. Other than
that, iced drink, tea and sugarcane drink were avoided due to their ‘cold’ and ‘sharp/sour’ properties. In addition, statistical tests of all food items show that there is no difference in terms of level of acceptance for each food between women delivered via normal delivery or caesarean section. It is concluded that postpartum food taboo beliefs are still prevalent among Malay women. Extensive food prohibition and restriction causes limited food choices which may affect mothers’ nutritional intake. Thus, a more balanced diet should be recommended for Malay mothers during postpartum period to ensure adequate nutrient intake, as much as culturally acceptable.
The obligatory fasting of Ramadan is not only an Islamic ritual to enhance the God-consciousness (called Taqwa), it may also lead to improvement of health status of fasting person(s). In other words, it is a complete overhauling instrument of Muslims soul/body in terms of faith and health. This can be termed as “Islamic fasting: a combination of spiritual elevation and prevention of diseases”. During fasting Muslims try to maintain integrity of the human body both physically and spiritually. It not only keeps us healthy physically/spiritually but also makes us healthy in social obligations. Furthermore,with full devotion it brings long-lasting changes in the individual’s life and relate to the level of righteousness and strength of character to resist desires. In health fasting plays an important role, for example the improvement of hyperlipidemia, obesity (fat loss), diabetes, cognition, cell functions, immunological factors, inflammation, stress and lifespan etc. This article is an effort to review and discuss research carried out on the listed conditions during the holy month of Ramadan on various aspects of human health.