BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels can increase gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, although inconsistent findings related to that association have been reported. This study examined the association of serum vitamin D with GDM and the possible influencers on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 259 pregnant women within the Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST). Blood samples at < 14 weeks of gestation were drawn to determine serum 25(OH)D levels. GDM diagnosis was made at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation using a standard procedure. Association between serum vitamin D and GDM was tested using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Nearly all women (90%) had mild (68.3%) or severe (32.2%) vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Non-GDM women with mild VDD had a significantly higher mean vitamin D intake than GDM women with mild VDD (t = 2.04, p < 0.05). Women with higher early pregnancy serum vitamin D levels had a greater risk of GDM. However, this significant association was only identified among those with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in women with a body mass index indicating overweight or obese status. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of VDD in this sample of pregnant women underscores the need for effective preventive public health strategies. Further investigation of this unexpected association between serum vitamin D level and GDM risk in predominantly VDD pregnant women and the potential effects of adiposity and family history of T2DM on that association is warranted.

Introduction: Raised blood pressure is associated with diet high in sodium and low in potassium. According to the Malaysian Community Salt Survey (MyCoSS), Malaysian adults consume a high sodium diet, despite half claiming that they control their salt intake. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of sodium and potassium with salt-control claims among adults from the MyCoSS study based on 24-h urinary excretion. Methods: Data of 1,047 respondents aged 18 years and above who completed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire were used in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to acquire information on sociodemographic, medical reports and KAP on salt intake. Sodium and potassium level were assessed from 24-hr urine specimen, anthropometric measurements were done using WHO criteria, while blood pressure was measured using validated digital blood pressure monitor. Descriptive and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine the associations between urinary sodium and potassium with salt-control claims and practices. Results: The consumption of sodium was higher than recommended, while potassium was lower among respondents who claimed to control their salt intake. Significant associations were found between sodium intake with marital status, ethnicity, education level and employment status. Meanwhile, significant associations were found between potassium intake with ethnicity and employment status. Conclusion: Sodium intake was high, and potassium intake was low among respondents who claimed they control their salt intake. Further study with detailed intervention on specific target group is required to improve sodium and potassium intakes among Malaysian adults.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with adverse health outcomes in pregnancy and newborns. This study aims to determine the Vitamin D status among pregnant Malaysian women and its associations with specific maternal & pregnancy characteristics. Methods: This study utilised cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort study of pregnant women in Seremban district in which 259 pregnant women had available vitamin D data. Blood samples were taken <14th week of gestation. Serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were analysed using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) technology on the ARCHITECT iSystem and categorised using the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2011 cutoffs. A set of pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographics, obstetrics, and anthropometry. Results: Mean serum 25(OH)D was 32.83±11.37nmol/L. The prevalence of severe and mild VDD was 23.2% (n=60) and 68.3% (n=177), respectively. About 8.5% (n=22) of pregnant women were vitamin D insufficient and none had sufficient serum 25(OH)D (>75nmol/L). Early pregnancy body mass index (AOR=2.95, 95% CI=1.03-8.47), working status (AOR=3.17, 95% CI=1.06–9.50) and gravidity (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.48–0.98) were significantly associated with VDD. Conclusion: The present study showed a high prevalence of VDD among pregnant women in Malaysia, especially among those who were overweight or obese, working in indoor environment and primigravida.

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a public health problem in Malaysia. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is associated with obesity in children. There is a lack of studies on factors associated with SSB consumption in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with SSB consumption among Malaysian adolescents. Methods: Data of 2,021 students, aged 10-17 years on sociodemographic, SSB intake and anthropometrics were drawn from the school-based Adolescent Nutrition Survey 2017. A multistage stratified cluster sampling was used to obtain a nationally representative sample of primary and secondary school students. Body mass index (BMI)-for-age status was determined based on calculated z-score using the World Health Organization 2007 reference. SSB consumption was obtained from a food frequency questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Malaysian adolescents were 16.6% and 14.7%, respectively. Malaysian adolescents consumed 1.4 cups of SSB per day. Rural children had a significantly higher SSB intake (1.5 cups) than urban (1.3 cups) children, while males (1.5 cups) had a significantly higher intake than females (1.3 cups). There were no significant differences in SSB consumption between thin, normal, overweight and obese adolescents. Conclusion: Almost all Malaysian adolescents consumed SSB during one month prior to the survey and the average amount consumed was 1.4 cups per day. Rural locality and male were associated with higher SSB consumption. There were differences in SSB consumption between Chinese and Malays, between Chinese and Indians, and between Chinese and Bumiputra Sarawak. There were no differences in consumption between the different BMI-for-age categories.

Introduction: Adolescence is an important growth period for individuals. High prevalence of obesity among adolescents in Malaysia in recent years is worrying. This study aims to assess associations of gender and BMI-for-age status (BAZ) with nutrient intake of adolescents between 13-17 years old in Malaysia. Methods: Data of 999 respondents were drawn from Adolescent Nutrition Survey 2017; a cross-sectional school-based survey involving adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old. Respondents were selected using multistage stratified cluster sampling from 13 states and three federal territories in Malaysia to ensure nationally representative data. Data collection was undertaken from March until May 2017. Dietary intake was assessed using a single 24-hours dietary recall conducted via face-to-face interview by trained nutritionists. Nutritionist ProTM Diet Analysis Software was used to calculate nutritional intake values. Anthropometric measurements were measured using validated equipment. Nutritional status of the respondents was assessed using BMI-for-Age z-score and categorised based on WHO Growth Reference 2007. Results: The mean energy intake of the adolescents was 1972 kcal/day. Majority of the adolescents had normal BMI (74.6%) while overweight, obese and thinness were 12.0%, 7.2% and 6.2% respectively. Boys had significantly higher intakes of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, sugar, cholesterol, thiamin, Vitamin A, calcium, iron, sodium and potassium compared to the girls. Obese adolescents had significantly higher energy, carbohydrate, fat, sugar, Vitamin A and calcium intakes compared to other BMI groups. Conclusion: The findings highlighted the need for cultivating self-awareness on healthy eating among adolescents.

Excessive salt intake has been linked to the development of hypertension and non-communicable diseases. This study aims to explore the different types of salt reduction intervention implemented among adults aged ≥18 years and to identify the suitable settings, duration and tools used for effective salt reduction interventions. This review adapted the established structured scoping review framework by Arksey and O’Malley. Related articles from the year 2008 to 2018 were retrieved based on the study objectives using keywords in electronic databases and through a bibliographic search of books, reports, conference proceedings, posters and summaries. Out of 130 potentially relevant full-text articles assessed, 14 articles were included in the review. Suitable salt reduction initiatives for the community who regularly consume home-cooked food are through cooking and usage of a tool such as a salt-restriction spoon, together with awareness on the benefits of salt reduction in their daily diet. Healthy catering initiative should be implemented in the workplace or institution-based settings. Policy development targeting the source of salts such as mandatory usage of salt-substitutes or Front-of-Pack labelling of salt content in all food products suitable for population-level intervention.