Introduction: Chocolate is a popular food and its consumption has long been associated with enjoyment and pleasure. The effect of chocolate on mood too has long been recognised. Chocolate is thought to have interactions with neurotransmitters which contribute to mood modulation and appetite regulation. However, the evidence in chocolate and mood studies remains highly controversial. As more is known about the influence of chocolate on mood, the reasons for these effects appear increasingly complex and inter-related. Methods: We reviewed chocolate’s properties and the principal hypotheses addressing its mood altering propensities. Results: The relationship between chocolate and mood are highly complex, combining psychopharmacological components, nutritional and sensory characteristics of the food. Individual and situational differences on chocolate consumption may also exert influence on mood and the mixed results in previous research indicate that the direction of the association remains unclear. Conclusion: The association between chocolate consumption and emotions warrants further multi-prong investigations to substantiate chocolate’s mood alterating propensity.

Introduction: Nutritional decline is typically accepted as a consequent of the course of treatment for cancer. This study aimed to (1) assess body weight status and dietary intake of breast cancer patients on chemotherapy and (2) to correlate Body Mass Index (BMI), energy and protein intake with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) profile. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two government hospitals in the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia using convenience sampling. Women aged >18 years, who were diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving chemotherapy were invited to participate. The following aspects were evaluated: body weight status, usual dietary intake (diet history) and HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30). Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were employed (SPSS 16). Results: Of the respondents, 41 were 49 ± 9.6 years of age; 92.7% were Malay; 97.6% (response rate = 91%) were on moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Over half of the patients were overweight or obese (mean BMI = 25.3 ± 1.1 kg/m2). The majority self-reported weight reduction (46.3%) but positive energy balance was detected with the current energy and protein intakes recorded at 1792.6 ± 304.9kcal/day (range= 1200-2500) and 74.5g/day (IqR= 37.7) respectively. Dietary intakes were, however, not correlated with HRQoL, but greater BMI was associated with better emotional and cognitive functioning and less fatigue. Conclusion: Although most patients declared losing weight, obesity and excess dietary intake were noted. Additionally, body weight status has been shown to be important in HRQoL profile, underlining the necessity for effective nutritional assessments and support to the cancer population.

Introduction: This cluster randomised controlled study design aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing nutrition education intervention (NEI) that targeted at incremental reduction of body weight and increased physical activity level among university students. Methods: Body weight and physical activity level were assessed before and after intervention. A total of 417 university students from four public universities in Terengganu participated in the study. They were randomly selected and assigned into two arms, that is, intervention group (IG) or control group (CG) according to their cluster. The IG received 10 weeks intervention focused on NEI promotion using three modes which were conventional lecture, three brochures as take-home messages and text messages for intervention reinforcement while CG did not receive any intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and adjusted effect size were used to determine differences in body weight and physical activity levels between groups and time. Results: No significant changes in body weight were observed among both groups. The average weight and body mass index (BM!) were slightly reduced in IG compared to CG after the 10-week intervention (p>0.05). Nevertheless, physical activity level improved significantly among IG participants compared to CG with increased metabolic equivalent (MET) min/ week spent for walking, moderate and vigorous activities and significantly decreased sitting time. The largest adjusted effect size was shown in total physical activity (0.75). Conclusion: The multimodal NEI had a positive influence on physical activity outcomes among university students. NEI should be continuously implemented in this particular population group.

Introduction: The recommendation to lose weight has been the guiding principle in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients. However, to facilitate this process, it is vital to understand factors associated with personal feelings about body weight and related behaviour. Methods: The objectives of this cross-sectional study were (1) to determine mean BMI and weight of satisfaction and (2) to measure the association between body weight satisfaction vs. sex, BMI, glycaemic control (as measured by Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), and attempts to lose weight among type 2 diabetic patients. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were employed (SPSS 16). A total of 67 subjects were recruited from Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Kuantan (age = 54.1 ± 8.1 years; female = 62.7%; Malay = 73.1%; overweight/obese = 62.7%) who completed a set of self-administered questionnaires. Results: The mean BMI and weight of satisfaction were 27.9 ± 5.3 kg/m2 and 62.7 ± 10.9kg respectively. A greater proportion of women (65.0%) reported dissatisfaction with their body weight. Patients with higher BMI generally reported greater dissatisfaction with body weight compared to those with lesser BMI (p = 0.090). There was no significant difference in the glycaemic control of patients who were satisfied or dissatisfied with their weight (p = 0.839). There was also no significant association between body weight satisfaction and diet (p = 0.957), physical activity (p = 0.517) or both (p = 0.734). Conclusion: This study implies that body weight satisfaction alone is not a strong factor that may drive type 2 diabetic patients to control their body weight.