Consumer awareness and understanding of front-of-pack (FOP) energy icon labelling in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

@# Introduction: Adequate, nutritive and safe foods are crucial for growth and healthy living. Adolescents are vulnerable to food insecurity. This study was aimed at determining the demographic factors, food security status, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and body weight status of adolescents in Mentakab, Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: This study involved 160 households that comprised pairs of mothers and children aged 13-17 years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers to assess their demographic and food security status (Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Instrument). Meanwhile, the children answered a self-administered HRQOL questionnaire (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, PedsQL). Body weight and height were measured to obtain the body mass index (BMI). Results: About 48.8% of the adolescents were from households with food insecurity. The number of school-going siblings, occupation status of mother, occupation status of father, household income and house ownership status were predictors of food security status (p<0.05). After controlling for covariates, the HRQOL score and BMI were higher in adolescents from food-secure households than adolescents from food- insecure households (p<0.01). Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity was high and multifactorial. Food insecurity was further associated with HRQOL and BMI. Food assistance programmes are recommended to directly alleviate food insecurity. Concurrently, monetary and educational aids are advocated to reduce the economic burden, especially in low-income households.

Prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among freeliving older persons in Selangor, Malaysia

@#Introduction: Older persons are vulnerable to food insecurity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food security and associated factors among free-living older persons in Petaling District, Selangor. Methods: A total of 220 free-living older persons aged 60-87 years were selected by using the cluster sampling method in this cross-sectional study. Faceto-face interviews were conducted to obtain information concerning the demographic and socioeconomic background, food security, oral health, and psychosocial status. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the studied variables. Results: The median age of the respondents was 65.5 years, and 19.5% were found as food insecure. There were significant associations between marital status (χ2=6.818), education level (χ2=6.242), occupation status (χ2=7.540), monthly income (χ2=9.940,), and oral health status (χ2=9.627) with food security status. Those with a low monthly income (AOR=2.449, 95% CI: 1.046-5.732), poor oral health status (AOR: 3.306, 95% CI: 1.387-7.889) and living in rented accommodation (AOR=6.218, 95% CI: 1.458-26.518) were more likely to be food insecure. Conclusion: Respondents with an income lower than the poverty line income (PLI), living in rented accommodation and poor oral health status face increased risk of food insecurity. A nutrition assistance programme is suggested to improve the socioeconomic and food security status of older persons. Regular oral check-ups are recommended to improve the oral health status of the elderly.