Calcium Intake among Myanmar Residing in Bago, Kayin, and Yangon Areas

A cross-sectional survey combined with 24-hour dietary recall and food diary was undertaken to assess the calcium intake of the Myanmar population. The study was conducted from November 2003 to October 2005. A total of 886 subjects of both sexes aged above 2 years from three States and Divisions (Bago, Kayin, and Yangon) of Myanmar were included in the study. The major measures were mean daily calcium intake (mg/day) and major sources of calcium in the diet. Overall mean calcium intake was 197+13mg/day (2-9 years), 421+2mg/day (10-19 years), 399+21 mg/day (20-49 years), and 383+25mg/day (>50 years) for males, while the corresponding values for females were 207+17 mg/day, 366+19 mg/day, 387+16 mg/day, and 327 +19 mg/day. Calcium intake was less than 80% of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Myanmar for ages 2-9 years and 10-29 years in all the study areas, and for the 50 years and above age group in Yangon. Fish paste was found to be the major source of calcium. Milk and milk products contributed very little to total calcium intake, contributing 2.1% for residents in Yangon, 5.1% in Pa-an and none in Bago. Consumption of calciumrich foods, particularly milk and milk products, should be encouraged among the Myanmar people. Towards this end, appropriate nutrition education materials should be developed for promotional purposes.

Epidemiology of sports injury in Myanmar athletes

An epidemiological study of sports injury was conducted in early part of 1990. Records of five different federations, namely track and field, foot ball, volley ball, boxing and weight lifting from outpatients department of the Aung San Stadium, were collected for 1985, 1986, and 1987. An interview study was also carried out in 116 Myanmar selected athletes from the above five federations, to determine the possible causal factors of sports injury. Three year average incidence rate of sports injury in five federations was 5.5 per 100 athletes. Common sites of injury, major types of injury, type of treatment, health seeking pattern, causes of sports injury were described, and discussed.