ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Raised blood pressure is associated with diet high in sodium and low in potassium. According to the Malaysian Community Salt Survey (MyCoSS), Malaysian adults consume a high sodium diet, despite half claiming that they control their salt intake. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of sodium and potassium with salt-control claims among adults from the MyCoSS study based on 24-h urinary excretion. Methods: Data of 1,047 respondents aged 18 years and above who completed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire were used in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to acquire information on sociodemographic, medical reports and KAP on salt intake. Sodium and potassium level were assessed from 24-hr urine specimen, anthropometric measurements were done using WHO criteria, while blood pressure was measured using validated digital blood pressure monitor. Descriptive and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine the associations between urinary sodium and potassium with salt-control claims and practices. Results: The consumption of sodium was higher than recommended, while potassium was lower among respondents who claimed to control their salt intake. Significant associations were found between sodium intake with marital status, ethnicity, education level and employment status. Meanwhile, significant associations were found between potassium intake with ethnicity and employment status. Conclusion: Sodium intake was high, and potassium intake was low among respondents who claimed they control their salt intake. Further study with detailed intervention on specific target group is required to improve sodium and potassium intakes among Malaysian adults.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Adolescent health is a priority considering they represent the future generation. Data from the Adolescent Nutrition Survey 2017 were analysed to determine the prevalence of micronutrient inadequacy, particularly calcium and iron, and the relationship with body mass index (BMI) among Malaysian secondary school students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included students aged 13 to 17 years old studying at public and private schools. Twenty-four hours dietary recall via face-to-face interview was conducted by trained nutritionists to obtain data on dietary intake. For nutritional status, BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) was analysed using WHO Anthroplus software. Results: From 999 respondents, 449 were boys and 550 were girls. Overall findings indicated that both boys and girls had inadequate intakes of calcium and iron in their daily diet. Mean intakes of calcium (695.7±463.2 mg/day) and iron (23.4±21.0 mg/day) were higher among boys aged 16 to 17 years old. Mean intake of iron were higher among the older age groups. Majority of the respondents (boys: 94%; girls: 97%) did not meet the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for calcium and more than half (boys: 50%; girl: 80%) did not achieve the RNI for iron. Current findings also found significant positive but weak correlations between calcium (r=0.112, p=0.001) and iron (r=0.084, p=0.008) intakes with BMI-for-age. Conclusion: BMI-for-age was related to calcium and iron intakes among secondary school students in Malaysia. Thus, intervention strategies should focus on early screening and nutrition education on food choices of high calcium and high iron contents, including iron supplementation programmes, if needed.