Whole-grain consumption and its determinants in Malaysian medical students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Whole-grain consumption is associated with several health benefits. Little is known, however, about whole-grain consumption patterns in medical students in Malaysia. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess whole-grain intake pattern and factors influencing intake among Malaysian medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study investigating whole-grain intake among 151 medical students in a private medical university in Malaysia was conducted from January to June 2018. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic variables, the whole-grain intake pattern and the knowledge and attitudes toward whole-grain intake. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were used. Results: The prevalence of reported whole-grain intake in the past 3 months was 51%. Chinese ethnicity, readiness to adhere to Malaysian food pyramid, and self-preparation of food, and eating at home were significantly associated with whole-grain consumption. However, the primary determinants of food choice such as education, knowledge, and affordability did not seem to influence whole-grain consumption. Whole-grain consumption is relatively low among Malaysian medical students. Cultural background and self-belief influence this practice despite being from the medical fraternity. Conclusions: Efforts are needed to bridge the knowledge–practice gap by assessing the barriers to whole-grain consumption to design effective initiatives to promote an increase in whole-grain consumption.

Relations of Whole Grain Consumption with Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Factors among Korean Adults

This study compared levels of whole grain consumption-related predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors according to socio-demographic variables, and examined how these factors are associated with whole grain consumption frequency among Korean adults. A survey questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of adult males and females aged 20~59 years (n=300). The questionnaire included questions on predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors in relation to whole grain consumption as well as a brief whole grain food frequency questionnaire. Female subjects showed a significantly higher level of negative beliefs on health.nutrition.taste.texture while showing a significantly lower level of social support compared to that of males. The age group of 40~59 years showed a significantly higher social support level than the age group of 20~39 years. Results from multivariate regression analyses showed that different combinations of predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling variables were significant in predicting whole grain consumption frequency according to sex and age. The study findings can be used for developing specific target-oriented nutrition intervention programs for promotion of whole grain intake among Korean adults.

Association of Whole Grain Consumption with Socio-Demographic and Eating Behavior Factors in a Korean Population: Based on 2007-2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The objective of the current study was to examine associations of whole grain consumption with socio-demographic (i.e.: sex, age, household income, education, marriage status) and certain eating behavior factors (i.e.: dish source, eating place, meal type) among a generally healthy Korean population. Using twenty-four hour recall data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, whole grain intake (g/day) was calculated for a total of 8,836 generally healthy Koreans aged 6 years and higher. The study subjects had very low whole grain intake. Specifically approximately 60% of the subjects reported no whole grain consumption on the survey day, and mean daily intake ranged from 8.0 g to 15.1 g in different gender and age groups. Living with a spouse was found to be a positive environment factor for whole grain consumption, especially among men. As household income levels increased, whole grain consumption status also improved. The proportion of non-consumer was lowest in a 6-19 year group, and mean intake amount was highest in middle-aged adults. Major dish sources for whole grain consumption included boiled rice with mixed grains, corn, boiled rice with brown rice, cereal products, and other types of boiled rice. It was found that whole grain consumption was highly affected by eating places rather than meal types. The best contributing eating place was home in each age and gender group. The study findings may be useful in planning nutrition education strategy and formulating dietary behavior guidelines for whole grain consumption improvement.