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Background: The worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents aged five to 19 years has increased substantially from 4% in 1975 to over 18% in 2016. School is a good setting for implementing childhood obesity interventions through nutrition education and practice, policy and supportive environment as well as physical activity promotion. This paper will discuss the development of a school-based intervention module in reducing overweight and obesity among adolescents. Materials and Methods: A school-based intervention module was developed based on Social Cognitive Theory as the determinants are likely to determine behaviour change. Face and content validity was conducted to improve the relevance, acceptability and quality of the module. A pilot test was done to ensure it is feasible to be implemented at the school level. Expected Result: The school-based intervention is effective to reduce overweight and obesity among the participants. Conclusion: The school-based intervention module was developed and validated. This intervention module would be implemented and assessed for its effectiveness. If proven effective, the intervention module would be useful for improvement in the school health programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental illness is a huge public health issue. Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associations between personal, clinical and lifestyle factors with MetS in patients with SMI. Materials and Methods: 151 patients attending psychiatric outpatient clinics in two government hospitals in Klang Valley participated in this study. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to diagnose patients with SMI by a psychiatrist. MetS was defined based on the 2009 Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. Information needed on socio-demographic background, clinical characteristics (types and duration of illness and medication), lifestyle factors (physical activity level, smoking behaviour and alcohol consumption) were collected through a face-to-face interview. Body weight, height, waist circumference, percentage of body fat and blood pressure were measured by the researchers. Blood test results were obtained from the medical records. Result: Nearly half of the respondents (48.3%) had MetS, in which it was higher among males (48.5%), married respondents (61.5%), older age group (66.7%) and schizophrenic patients (50.7%). Overweight (AOR=3.64, 95% CI=1.55-8.58) and obese (AOR=15.06, 95% CI=5.27-43.09) patients were more likely to develop MetS. Moreover, middle-aged and older patients were about 3 times (AOR=3.31, 95% CI=1.38-7.94) and 6 times (AOR=5.65, 95% CI=1.62-19.73), respectively, more likely to develop MetS compared to younger patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated high prevalence of MetS among patients with SMI. It also highlighted the need of regular assessment of BMI among patients with SMI to prevent MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: University students are potentially important targets for the promotion of healthy lifestyles as this may reduce the risks of lifestyle-related disorders later in life. This cross-sectional study examined differences in eating behaviours, dietary intake, weight status, and body composition between male and female university students. Methodology: A total of 584 students (59.4% females and 40.6% males) aged 20.6±1.4 years from four Malaysian universities in the Klang Valley participated in this study. Participants completed the Eating Behaviours Questionnaire and two-day 24-hour dietary recall. Body weight, height, waist circumference and percentage of body fat were measured. Results: About 14.3% of males and 22.4% of females were underweight, while 14.0% of males and 12.3% of females were overweight and obese. A majority of the participants (73.8% males and 74.6% females) skipped at least one meal daily in the past seven days. Breakfast was the most frequently skipped meal. Both males and females frequently snacked during morning tea time. Fruits and biscuits were the most frequently consumed snack items. More than half of the participants did not meet the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) for energy, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron (females only), and calcium. Significantly more males than females achieved the RNI levels for energy, protein and iron intakes. Conclusion: This study highlights the presence of unhealthy eating behaviours, inadequate nutrient intake, and a high prevalence of underweight among university students. Energy and nutrient intakes differed between the sexes. Therefore, promoting healthy eating among young adults is crucial to achieve a healthy nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]