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@#Introduction: The Healthier Choice Logo (HCL) was introduced in 2017 by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. This paper analysed acceptance of HCL, effectiveness of HCL in encouraging healthier product reformulation, and factors affecting reformulation among food industries. Methods: An online self-administered questionnaire consisting of four sections utilising multiple choice and 5-point Likert scale questions was distributed to food industries in Malaysia. Sample size calculation yielded 100 respondents. Results: Food industries had a higher acceptance of the processes and requirements involved in HCL implementation. HCL was highly effective in encouraging product reformulation among food industries in Malaysia. Meeting consumer demand, improving brand image, public health, more awareness around nutrition labelling, logo and national nutrition target, more technical knowledge and budget were found to motivate healthier product reformulation. However, product suitability, consumer acceptability, difficulties maintaining taste and shelf life, and limited budget were the challenges faced in product reformulation. There was no correlation between HCL acceptance and factors encouraging or inhibiting reformulation. Conclusion: These findings are expected to help relevant authorities or stakeholders make changes, if necessary, towards processes and requirements involved in HCL application to ensure wider HCL implementation. Future research should identify the relationship between HCL implementation and public health improvement among the Malaysian population.
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@#The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children are increasing in developing countries, including Malaysia. The aim of this study was carried out the need assessment and to determine the nutritional knowledge, attitude, and physical activity among primary school children for the purpose of health education module development on childhood weight management among primary school children. This study was employed cross-sectional design with a probability of 202 school children aged ten years old. The result shows that majority of primary school children choose food that high in carbohydrate, sodium, and saturated fat. Thus, reflect to the lack of nutrition knowledge. Meanwhile, for the lowest choices were sugar intake and low-fat dairy product. The highest mean for nutritional attitude is primary school children chose to drink 100% fruit juice (mean=81 ± 0.97), and the lowest mean was eating wheat bread (mean=2.25 ± 1.16). The highest mean for sedentary activity was watching the television show during weekdays (mean 4.02 ± 1.17). The result shows the children need education on the nutritional fact in their food like carbohydrate, sodium and saturated fat, physical activity, and information to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
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@#Background: Nutrition has always been associated with eating behaviour. The eating behaviour can impact not only the normal population but also athletes’ population including disabled athletes too. Athletes have a higher tendency to unhealthy eating behaviour due to intense pressure and competitive environment in sports. It is important to identify the types of eating behaviour among disabled athletes to prevent eating disorder that could affect their performance. Thus, this study aims to identify the types of eating behaviour among disabled athletes in Malaysia. Methods: This study involved 93 disabled athletes in Malaysia. The setting of the study is at National Sports Council, Malaysia. The data obtained are analysed using chi-square test using SPSS. Results: This study shows that the most common types of eating behaviour among disabled athletes are emotional eating (37.6%), followed by uncontrolled eating (34.3%) and cognitive restraint (28%). Most of the overweight and obese disabled athletes are prone to emotional eating (19.4%) as compared to non-overweight athletes (18.3%). Conclusion: As a conclusion, recognising the eating behaviour in disabled athletes is important as more effective and innovative interventions and measures can be undertaken to prevent eating disorder which can enhance sports performance.
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@# Introduction: Monitoring changes in energy and nutrient intakes of the population over the course of time is essential to help healthcare providers develop effective dietary policies. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the nutrient intake and Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) achievements by using the data obtained from the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Surveys (MANS) that were carried out in 2003 and 2014. Mis-reporting of energy intake was taken into account. Methods: Dietary data were obtained from MANS 2003 and MANS 2014, which involved a combined total of 4,044 randomly selected respondents, aged 18-59 years, using a single 24-hour diet recall. Energy and nutrients calculations were based on the Malaysian Food Composition database using the Nutritionist Pro software. The results were compared against the RNI for Malaysia to assess dietary adequacy. Results: The proportions of calories derived from macronutrients were within the recommendations for a healthy diet. The consumption of protein, fat, calcium, iron and vitamin A was significantly higher in 2014 than in 2003. The consumption of protein, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A was found to exceed the RNIs in 2014. However, carbohydrate and sodium intakes had significantly decreased. Despite the decrease, sodium intake still exceeded RNI recommendations. Conclusion: Signs of changing energy and nutrient intakes were found, including increases in protein and fat intakes since 2003, and decreased carbohydrates. This could be an alarming indicator of the tendency to eat energy dense food among the population.
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@# Introduction: Under-reporting of energy intake is a common cause of bias in nutritional studies. This study was aimed at examining the extent of under- reporting of energy intake and its related characteristics among respondents in the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2003 and MANS 2014. Methods: The present study analysed energy intakes of 9,624 adults aged 18-59 years from the MANS in year 2014 (2,890 respondents) and 2003 (6,734 respondents) using a single 24-hour diet recall. Basal metabolic rates (BMR) were calculated from the age- and gender-specific equations of Schofield. Under-reporting was defined as an energy intake:BMR ratio of <1.2 as proposed by Goldberg. Results: Under-reporting was found to have increased significantly from 53% in 2003 to 61% in 2014. In both surveys, under-reporting increased with higher body mass index (BMI) and older age groups. It was higher among women than men, lowest among those with primary schooling or below, and those living in Peninsular Malaysia. It was higher among rural respondents in 2014 but higher among urban respondents in 2003. The intake of energy and micronutrients increased when under-reporters were excluded. Conclusion: Under-reporting was prevalent in both the nationwide MANS, and is associated with BMI, age, gender, education level, location strata, zone. It is important to take this factor into account when assessing dietary intake in population-based studies.
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@# Introduction: The consumption of processed food is increasing in developing countries. Nutrition labels on food packaging are important for the education of consumers, particularly adolescents, to help them make healthier food choices. However, there is evidence to suggest that adolescents generally do not use nutrition labels. This study aims to explore the personal factors that influence the practice of Malaysian adolescents in reading nutrition labels. Methods: The participants were adolescents, aged 13-16 years, from five public schools in Negeri Sembilan. Five semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. The participants discussed their personal views, knowledge and perceptions regarding the use of nutrition labels and food selection. Data gathered from the FGDs were coded through thematic analysis using the NVivo software. Results: While the participants were familiar with nutrition labels, their usage was relatively low during food selection due to the lack of interest in nutrition information, past experiences, hunger and cravings, time constraints and the taste of the food. The main reasons for using nutrition labels were health consciousness and their curiosity about specific nutrition information provided on the labels. The majority of participants believed that information provided on the labels was accurate because it was provided by reliable institutions. There was also misperception among some participants, mixing up nutrition labels with list of ingredients and the expiry dates. A few participants were unconvinced by the labels and stated that the labels provided misleading information. Conclusion: Personal factors such as knowledge, misperception, awareness and trust significantly impact how adolescents read nutrition labels.