ABSTRACT
Background Anemia is a global public health problem that needs urgent attention, especially in early childhood. Young children living in remote indigenous communities are vulnerable to anemia. This study aimed to determine factors associated with anemia among children of the Orang Asli (OA) community, aged two to six years old. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 269 OA children, together with their biological non-pregnant mothers. Their mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to gather information on sociodemographic characteristics, sanitation facility and personal hygiene, food security, and dietary diversity. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments were measured using standard protocols. Results One in five of the OA children was anemic (21.2%) and had a low birth weight (20.4%). About 27.7% of the children were underweight, 35.2 % were stunted, 6.1% were wasted, and 5.7% were overweight. One-third of them (35.0%) had parasitic infections and almost all were food-insecure (96.3%). As for the mothers, more than one-third of them were anemic (39.0%), 58.9% had abdominal obesity, and 61.8% were overweight and obese. Parasitic infections (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.49, 95%CI=1.23-5.06), not wearing shoes outside the house (AOR=2.95, 95%CI=1.39-6.27), and mothers with anemia (AOR=2.62, 95%CI=1.30-5.28) were associated with increased risk of anemia among OA children. Conclusion Preventing maternal anemia and strengthening knowledge on sanitation and hygiene could be incorporated into nutrition intervention programs to address anemia issues among OA children.
ABSTRACT
Background: The microbiota plays a key role in early immunity maturation that affects infant health and is associated with the development of non-communicable diseases and allergies in later life. Objective: The MYBIOTA is a prospective mother-infant cohort study in Malaysia aiming to determine the association between gut microbiota with infant health (temperament, gastrointestinal disorders, eczema, asthma, and developmental delays) in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: Pregnant mothers will be enrolled in their first trimester of pregnancy, and follow-ups will be done for infants during their first year of life. Maternal-infant biological samples (blood, feces, saliva, urine, and breast milk), anthropometric, dietary, and clinical information will be collected at different time points from early pregnancy to 12 months postpartum. Discussion: This study could provide a better understanding of the colonization and development of the gut microbiome during early life and its impact on infant health. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT04919265.
ABSTRACT
Insufficient physical activity is a common problem for university students because they may engage in sedentary lifestyle owing to excessive time spent on their smartphones and social media use. This may result in problematic internet use (PIU) and nomophobia (fear of not having a mobile phone). Moreover, prior evidence shows that weight-related self-stigma is an important factor contributing to low physical activity. Therefore, the present study examined the associations between PIU, nomophobia, and physical activity among university students across mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Participants (3135 mainland Chinese, 600 Taiwanese, and 622 Malaysian) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ), Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The measurement invariance of the assessed questionnaires was supported across the three regions. The present findings analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that (i) greater nomophobia was associated with higher levels of physical activity, (ii) greater weight-related self-stigma was associated with higher levels of physical activity, and (iii) greater nomophobia was associated with greater weight-related self-stigma. Although the present findings suggest the possibility that experiencing some level of nomophobia or weight-related self-stigma appears to help improve physical activity, it is not recommended that these be encouraged, but reducing PIU should be targeted as a means to improve physical activity.
