Characteristics of dietary intakes including NOVA foods  among pre-adolescents living in urban Kuala Lumpur –  Findings from the PREBONE-Kids study

Wai Yew Yang; Soon Yee Wong; Shu Hwa Ong; Kanimolli Arasu; Chung Yuan Chang; Megan Hueh Zan Chong; Meenal Mavinkurve; Erwin Jiayuan Khoo; Karuthan Chinna; Connie M Weaver; Winnie Siew Swee Chee

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Characteristics of dietary intakes including NOVA foods among pre-adolescents living in urban Kuala Lumpur – Findings from the PREBONE-Kids study

Author: Wai Yew Yang ¹ ; Soon Yee Wong ¹ ; Shu Hwa Ong ¹ ; Kanimolli Arasu ¹ ; Chung Yuan Chang ¹ ; Megan Hueh Zan Chong ¹ ; Meenal Mavinkurve ² ; Erwin Jiayuan Khoo ² ; Karuthan Chinna ³ ; Connie M. Weaver ⁴ ; Winnie Siew Swee Chee ^{5
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Author Information

1. Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
2. Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Seremban 70300, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
3. Faculty of Business and Management, UCSI University, 56100 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
4. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
5. Division of Nutrition &
6. Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: children; dietary intake; income; Malaysian; NOVA group
From: Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2023;29(No.3):401-414
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Introduction: Evidence showed considerable variability of health risk factors within different socioeconomic groups. This study aimed to characterise dietary intakes by total household income among a sample of Malaysian pre-adolescents in urban Kuala Lumpur. Methods: Baseline data of 243 healthy, pre-adolescent children between 9 and 11 years old including socio-demographic background (gender, ethnicity, and total household monthly income), anthropometry (body weight and height), and 7-day diet histories were collected. Secondary analysis was performed on dietary intakes to quantify food groups based on the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines and NOVA classification systems besides nutrients. Differences and associations between total monthly household income categories with anthropometry and dietary intakes were tested using independent t-test/Mann-Whitney U (depending on normality) and chi-square tests, respectively. Results: Most children in this study population had dietary intakes below the recommended serving sizes for five food groups, except meat/poultry (195.2±107.2%) and fish (110.1±106.3%) and consumed about 32% of energy from ultra-processed foods (NOVA food group 4). While there was no difference in dietary intake between the bottom 40% with the middle 40% and high 20% household income groups, the percentage of energy contributed by NOVA food group 4 (processed fats/oils, condiments, and sauces) was higher in the bottom 40% households (p=0.024). Conclusion: Most pre-adolescent children in this study, regardless of household income, did not meet dietary recommendations and ate diets comprised of less nutritious foods. Comprehensive approaches that aim to improve dietary patterns and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases are warranted.
Full text:4.2023my0625.pdf