Malnutrition can be associated as one of the factors which affect health status. The term is used to describe imbalance of nutrients either over- or under-nourished, resulting in measurable adverse effects on body composition, function and clinical outcome. The National Health And Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2011 assessed 4304 individuals aged 10-17 years old through a household survey of Malaysian population. Thinness and obesity are the malnutrition indicators based on Centre for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 classification as recommended by WHO (2007). The findings of the survey showed that the national prevalence of thinness (BMI for age <-2SD), was 9.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 8.4-11.2). The state of Sabah/Labuan had the highest thinness of prevalence, 17.0% (11.1-25.2) and lowest in Penang at 5.3% (2.7-10.0). The prevalence of thinness was higher in urban areas than in rural areas at 10.3% (8.5-12.3). Meanwhile; national prevalence of obesity (BMI for age ≥+2SD) was only 5.7% (4.9-6.7). The state of Perak had the highest obesity prevalence 10.0% (6.2-15.8) and lowest in Sabah/Labuan at 2.4% (1.4-4.1). The obesity prevalence was higher among adolescents in urban areas at 6.3% (5.2-7.6) than in rural areas. Thinness as a form of malnutrition is more prevalent than obesity. Even though the prevalence of obesity is low, the impact affects not only the adolescents, but also the family, the society and the nation in the future. The increasing prevalence of obesity will have significant public health implication related to non-communicable diseases.
Obesity ; Thinness ; Adolescent ; Malaysia ; Malnutrition

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and factors influencing malnutrition among children aged five years and below in Serian District of Sarawak, a district where the majority of people are indigenous. Methods: Using a cross-sectional method, a total of 177 children were randomly selected and assessed, and their mothers or caregivers were interviewed. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were also taken. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in children aged five years and below was 20.9%, 11.9% and 10.2% respectively. The results suggest that the significant factors contributing to underweight are birth weight, frequency of child visit to the clinic, and individual insecurity. Only age, when complementary diet was introduced, was found to be significantly associated with stunting. For wasting, individual insecurity, duration of family planning and met recommended protein intake per day were found to be significant factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in children 5 years and below in Serian District of Sarawak is high compared to state figures. The major contributing factors were found to be manifested at the individual and family level. There is a need for appropriate public health promotion and socioeconomic improvement interventions towards improving the nutritional status and health of children in Serian District.
Child Nutrition Disorders, Malnutrition ; Thinness

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1,500 subjects at 30 communes collected randomly (investigated 50 children and 50 mothers per commune) about nutrition status of children under 5 years old and some influenced factors in Kontum province, in 2001. The results: the percentage of malnutrition was high level according to WHO criteria, underweight was 36.9%, stunting was 46.3%, and wasting was 8.3%. The malnutrition rates of boys and girls were significant difference (P>0.05). The children of ethnic minorities were higher about the malnutrition rates than children of Kinh people. The malnutrition rates in the child of illiterate mothers was the highest
Nutritional Status ; child ; Malnutrition ; standards ; Thinness ; epidemiology

The high prevalence of underweight among children is a serious health concern in Bangladesh. Nutritional status influences students' academic performance directly or indirectly. This study aimed to determine factors that affect the academic performance of students in primary schools. Methods: Data were collected from several schools and madrasahs in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh using multistage stratified sampling with proportional allocation technique. Results: The prevalence of underweight children was 32.3%, with 43.0% of them being girls and 21.4% boys. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that normal weight children were more likely (p<0.05) to obtain good results (GPA >3.50) than underweight children. Children with gestational age of 39 to 41 weeks were more likely to obtain good results than those whose gestational age was 37 and 38 weeks. Children who were breastfed for <24 months were less likely (p<0.01) to perform well academically (GPA>3.50) compared to their counterparts. Children whose parents had a higher income or higher education had a significantly better chance of obtaining good results compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: These results suggest that childhood nutritional status, parents' education and economic level are significant common factors which affect children's academic performance. Consequently, under-nutrition and poverty can be considered as the major problems for good academic performance of Bangladeshi children and requires attention
Thinness ; Nutritional Status ; Schools ; Child ; Bangladesh

The objective of this research was to analyze nutritional status and food consumption of children participating in the Posyandu nutrition program. A total sample of 300 children under five years had been drawn. Sample was divided into two categories namely high participation and low participation in the Posyandu nutrition program. The sample was selected from two sub districts of Cianjur District, West Java. The districts were areas with a high proportion of poor people and many of them take the benefits of Posyandu nutrition program conducted by the government. The participation of children (under five years old) in visiting Posyandus was relatively good, namely, 92.4% (for the high participation group). However, for the low participation group, the number of participating children was relatively low (28.3%). The average consumption of energy for children under five years old was still below the recommended dietary allowance < 80% of RDA, whereas the protein consumption was already above the RDA. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting among children were respectively 30.0%, 43.7%, and 12.3%. The activities at Posyandus had a positive impact on the nutritional status of children under five years olds, measured in terms of weight for age (W/A) and weight for height (W/H). The more frequent the visit to Posyandus, the better the nutritional statuses would be.
Child ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutritional Status ; Prevalence ; Thinness

PURPOSE: To design novel balance tests to assess FAI and evaluate whether these tests are affected by BMI or gender, with the goal of developing reliable FAI assessment tests that are not influenced by these factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants included 20 young, healthy volunteers, 12 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 24+/-4 years and a mean BMI of 23+/-2.28. None of the subjects had known ankle instability. The following tests were assessed in each participant: single leg balance (SLB), percentage of leg press (PLP), single leg cycling (SLC), one leg squat (OLS), multiple direction reach-front/back/side (MDR-F/B/S), single leg hop (SLH), two leg jump (TLJ) and side step (SS). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 software program with ANOVA and t-test used. RESULTS: When grouped by BMI, we found that despite differences in BMI, the performances of all subjects were equivalent except for the one-leg-squat test, for which the mean ratios for underweight (1.69+/-0), normal weight (1.05+/-0.19), and overweight (0.93+/-0.30) individuals were significantly different (p=0.02); ratios for SLB (p=0.273), SLC (p=0.903), PLP (p=0.664), MDR-F/B/S (p=0.498, 0.908, and 0.503, respectively), SLH (p=0.332) were not significantly different. When calculated according to gender, we found that the OLS (p=0.013) and MDRS (p=0.034) were significantly different, while parameters for all the remaining tests were not affected. CONCLUSION: We found that the SLB, PLP, SLC, MDR-F/B, and SLH ratios were unaffected by BMI or sex and, therefore, are reliable parameters for assessing ankle instability.
Animals ; Ankle ; Female ; Humans ; Humulus ; Leg ; Male ; Overweight ; Thinness

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to explore body-shape satisfaction and adjustment functions in 410 adolescent school girls. METHODS: After underweight, normal-weight and overweight groups were identified among 410 high school girls according to BMI(body mass index), we compared current weight & height, ideal weight & height, subtracted value of ideal weight from current weight, subtracted value of ideal height from current height, subtracted value of ideal BMI from current BMI, weight dissatisfaction, height dissatisfaction,body-shape dissatisfaction,and EAT-26(Eating attitude Test-26),OSIQ(Offer Self-Image Questionnaire for Adolescents), STAI(State-Trait Anxiety Inventory),BDI(Beck Depression Inventory),BITE(Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh) among the three group. RESULTS: 1) The subjects consisted with overweight group(BMI > 25,N=27,6.6%), normal-weight group(19< or = BMI < or =25,N=278,67.8%),and underweight group(BMI<19, N=105, 25.6%). 2) In comparison to other groups, overweight group was significantly different in subtracted value of ideal weight from current weight and subtracted value of ideal height from current height. These results suggest that overweight group wants greater body-shape change than other groups. Overweight group was significantly shorter in height than underweight group there were no significant differences in ideal height among the groups. 3) Overweight group and normal-weight group showed significantly highter weight dissatisfaction than underweight group. There were no significant differences in height dissatisfaction and body-shape dissatisfaction among the three groups. All groups showed higher weight, height dissatisfaction and body-shape dissatisfaction except higher weight dissatisfaction in underweight group. 4) In comparison of overweignt group with other groups by mean difference of each scale, there was significant difference in superior adjustment subscale of the OSIQ and symptom subscale of the BITE between overweight group and other groups. There was also significant difference in symptom severity subscale of the BITE between overweight and underweight groups. There was no significant difference in EAT-26,STAI,BDI,other subscales of OSIQ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The distribution rate of overweight group was lower than in western studies. 2) These results suggest that overweight group wants greater body-shape change than other groups, and overweight group may have binge-eating behavior and poor coping system.
Adolescent* ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Female* ; Humans ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinness

With recent increases in demand for women's social participation, children have tended to favor western-style foods and dislike vegetables (Veg.). The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary behavior and Veg. intake in 612 elementary school children (339 boys; 273 girls) in Gyeonggi-do. 66.5% of the subjects reported that they liked Veg. The most frequent reason given for this preference in Veg. liking group was that vegetables were 'delicious' (35.6%), followed by 'nutritious' and 'frequent intake'. The most frequent reason given for disliking Veg. in the Veg. disliking group was that vegetables are 'not delicious' (94.6%). Approximately half of the subjects had correct knowledge about vegetables. The total score of general nutrition knowledge was 7.7 points (a perfect score is 10 points) and the majority of students generally had good dietary behaviors. The Veg. liking group scored higher on knowledge about Veg., general nutritional knowledge, dietary behavior, and Veg. preference than did the members of the Veg. disliking group (p <0.001). The 'active' group had the highest score for dietary behavior (p <0.001), and the scores for dietary behavior and Veg. preference increased with increasing self-rated health status (p <0.001). The score of normal BMI group for nutritional knowledge about Veg. was higher than that of the underweight group (p <0.05). The higher self-rated academic score group showed higher on knowledge about Veg., general nutrition knowledge, dietary behavior (p <0.001) and Veg. preference (p <0.05). Dietary behavior and preference of Veg. were positively correlated with nutritional knowledge. To improve health by increasing Veg. intake, education about the nutritional importance of Veg. should be needed, and continuous nutritional education is recommended to foster good food habits and Veg. preferences in children.
Child ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Social Participation ; Thinness ; Vegetables

This study was to investigate the trial status of weight control with internet. A survey was carried out by self-questionnaires with 500 female university students in Seoul. The average height, weight, and PIBW(Percentage of Ideal Body Weight) of subjects were 162.2+/-4.8cm, 51.9+/-6.1kg and 93.7+/-11.0%. It appeared that 50.6% of subjects were abnormal range of body weight : in particular 43.4% of the subjects were underweight. While 80.7% of subjects have deeply interested in weight control, 63.4% of them have attempted diet. It showed that 92.9% of subjects used internet, 54.3 % of them knew internet diet site, however only 39 of subjects used internet diet program. Most subjects used internet diet program in order to acquire diet information. According to PIBW, the overweight group is higher frequency of joining internet diet program than the others group. Therefore, education of weight control was needed with internet in abnormal weight group.
Body Weight ; Diet* ; Education ; Female* ; Humans ; Internet* ; Overweight ; Seoul ; Thinness

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrition and diet related knowledge, attitude, and behavior of elementary school children in Seoul. The subjects included were 439 (male 236, female 203) elementary school children in the 4th to the 6th grades. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 12.0 program. The average obesity index (OI) was 104.98 and 99.82 for male and female subjects, respectively. The average percentage of underweight, normal, overweight and obese of subjects was 33.7%, 32.8%, 12.3%, and 19.4%, respectively. The percentage of the underweight group of female subjects was higher than that of the male subjects. The percentage of the obese group of male subjects was higher than that of the female subjects. The average score of nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitude and dietary behavior was 6.8, 7.44, and 7.34, respectively. Dietary behavior of male subjects was positively correlated with parents' education levels, monthly household income and nutrition attitude. Dietary behavior of female subjects was positively correlated with monthly household income, nutrition knowledge and nutrition attitude. Dietary behavior of female subjects was positively correlated with obesity index (OI). Proper nutrition education and intervention are required for the improvement of elementary school children's nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitudes and dietary behaviors.
Child ; Diet ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Thinness