1.Perceived Effects of the Malaysian National Tobacco Control Programme on Adolescent Smoking Cessation: A Qualitative Study
Hizlinda Tohid ; Noriah Mohd Ishak ; Noor Azimah Muhammad ; Farah Naaz Momtaz Ahmad ; Anis Ezdiana Abdul Aziz ; Khairani Omar
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2012;19(2):35-47
Background: The prevalence of teenage smoking has decreased over the past decade following the implementation of the national tobacco control programme. However, the effect of the programme on smoking cessation in teenagers has not been determined.
Methods: Twenty-eight participants (12 teenagers, 8 teachers, and 8 doctors) were interviewed using 5 in-depth interviews and 3 group discussions. Social cognitive theory (SCT) was applied as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interview protocols were used, and thematic analysis and analytic generalisation utilising SCT were performed.
Results: The current national tobacco control programme was found to be ineffective in promoting smoking cessation among teenagers. The participants attributed the ineffective campaign to the followings: inadequacy of message content, lack of exposure to the programme, and poor presentation and execution. In addition, the participants perceived the developed tobacco control policies to be a failure based on poor law enforcement, failure of retailers to comply with the law, social availability of cigarettes to teenagers, and easy availability of cheap, smuggled cigarettes. This study highlighted that the programme-related problems (environmental factors) were not the only factors contributing to its perceived ineffectiveness. The cunning behaviour of the teenagers (personal factor) and poor self-efficacy to overcome nicotine addiction (behavioural factor) were also found to hinder cessation.
Conclusion: Tobacco control programmes should include strategies beyond educating teenagers about smoking and restricting their access to cigarettes. Strategies to manage the cunning behaviour of teenagers and strategies to improve their self-efficacy should also be implemented. These comprehensive programmes should have a foundation in SCT, as this theory demonstrates the complex interactions among the environmental, personal, and behavioural factors that influence teenage smoking.
2.Time-Restricted Feeding And Brisk Walking in Overweight and Obese Adults
Fawwaz Fadhadli ; Sanda Aung ; Noriah Noor ; Ailin Razali
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):95-101
Introduction: Obesity and its associated metabolic consequences such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and
cardiovascular disease are a global epidemic. Conventional treatment of obesity is daily calorie restriction which
many patients find challenging. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is an emerging alternative although very limited scientific
evidence is available. Alternatively, brisk walking (BW) has been shown to reduce mortality risks. The objective
of this study was to examine the effects of TRF (16 hour/day of fasting) and investigate the additional effects of BW
with TRF (16 hour/day of fasting) in overweight and obesity management. Methods: Thirty-six (n=36) overweight
and obese participants were enrolled equally into three different groups according to their preferences in this 16-
week prospective experimental study; Group A (TRF combined with BW), Group B (TRF alone) and Group C (control
group maintaining their lifestyle). Data collection was conducted at the beginning and end of the study for statistical
analysis. Results: All Group A and Group B participants showed significant reductions in body mass index, waist circumference,
hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage, visceral fat level, whole body subcutaneous
fat percentage, trunk subcutaneous percentage, legs subcutaneous percentage and arms subcutaneous fat percentage
as compared to their control counterparts (Group C) (all p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed
in all anthropometric measurements of Group A participants compared to Group B counterparts. Conclusion: TRF
(16 hour/day fasting) can be adopted in weight reduction management of overweight and obese patients. BW for 16
weeks combined with TRF renders no additional effects in overweight and obesity management.