Search

Background: Food label is any printed panel on a package or a container of food or food product that contains information of the nutritional value and ingredients of the product. Reading food label during food purchasing would encourage consumers to make healthier choices. This study aimed to explore the association between reading food labels and sociodemographic characteristics, antroprometry assessments, and body weight perception among students aged between 13 and 17 in Malaysia Material and methods : We analysed the data from the Adolescent Nutrition Survey 2017. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling design was used, and a total of 212 schools across Malaysia were selected for this survey. Weighting and the sample design were accounted for in all the analyses. The information read and understanding of food label was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Results : The overall prevalence of reading food labels among students aged 13 to 17 in Malaysia was 84.5%. Girls were found to have significantly higher odds of reading food labels compared to boys (aOR 1.48, p<0.001). Indian, Malay, and others ethnicity of adolescents were reported significantly higher odds of reading food label. The student who answers correct interpretation related to nutrition labeling such as percentage of calories, highest and lowest ingredients also more likely to read the food label. Those with the perception of being overweight and obese were found to have lower odds to read food labels compared to those perceived themselves with normal weight. Students who were currently trying to reduce and increase weight were significantly more likely to read food labels. Conclusion: The prevalence of reading food labels among adolescents in Malaysia is high. However, understanding details related to nutrition labelling should be a part of all programs directed towards tackling the benefit of reading food labels while during food selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Physical activity assessment in children is the first step in assessing the relationship between activity and health, as well as the determinants of childhood physical activity and changes in activity level.Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) is self- administered questionnaire to assess physical activity among older children. The objective of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children in Malay language PAQ-C (M). Methods The validation study was done among 73 students aged 10 to 17 years old. The PAQ-C was translated into Malay language using forward and backward translation. The evaluation of the psychometric properties included internal consistency, test-retest reliability and criterion validity. Reliability of PAQ-C (M) was determined using Cronbach alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The PAQ-C (M) was administered twice in one week interval to assess test-retest reliability. Criterion validity was assessed between PAQ-C (M) and 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR). Results The internal consistency of PAQ-C (M) assessment calculated in this study was α = 0.75 and α = 0.77 for assessments one and two, respectively. The ICC between individual items of PAQ-C (M) was 0.59 to 0.91, indicating moderate to good correlation. The Spearmen correlation coefficient between PAQ-C (M) and 3DPARwas acceptable (r=0.60, p<0.01). Conclusions In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that the PAQ-C (M) has moderate to good reliability and validity in assessing physical activity among older children and adolescents. Future validation of PAQ-C (M) against different measures such as accelerometer is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking is a learnt behavior during adolescence and understanding the factor/s associated with smoking will assist in identifying suitable measures in combating the rising prevalence of smoking among adolescents. This research aimed to identify the factor/s associated with smoking among form four students in Kota Tinggi, Johor. Multistage sampling was used to select a representative sample of students in 2008 and data were collected using a self-administered validated questionnaire. This study revealed that the overall smoking prevalence was 19.0% with a significantly higher proportion of male smokers (35.8%) as compared to females (3.15%). Adolescents who were male (aOR 6.6, 95%CI 2.61-16.4), those who had peer/s who smoked (aOR 4.03, 95% CI 1.31-12.4), and those who studied in rural areas and Felda Settlements ( aOR 4.59, 95 CI 1.11-18.0; aOR 9.42, 95%CI 3.91-29.1) were more likely to smoke in the past one week. On the other hand, adolescents with better knowledge on the hazards of smoking and negative attitudes towards smoking were less likely to smoke (aOR 0.51, 95%CI 0.37-0.72; aOR 0.67, 95%CI 0.46-0.99). Future promotional and interventional programmes on smoking should be considered and the above identified risk factors integrated to reduce smoking prevalence among students of school-going ages in Kota Tinggi. Johor.