A project to compile and analyse the key messages and scientific rationale of the officially published food-based dietry guidelines(FBDGs)in six Southeast Asian countries was undertaken to understand their similarities and differences.

Part 2 of the manuscriptcompares the main pictorial food guides and food plates of the officially published food-based dietry guidelines (FBDGs)of six countries of the Southeast Asian Region,.

Introduction: Children living in orphanages tend to be neglected and may be malnourished. This study assessed the socio-economic background and nutritional status of children living in an orphanage in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the children in Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage, Dhaka from January to November 2014. Systematic sampling was adopted to collect data from 232 children using a semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken and the WHO reference growth chart was used to determine the children’s nutritional status. Weight-for-age was categorised by mild, moderate and severe malnutrition. The Pearson Chi-square test was performed to determine the association between the extent of malnutrition and socio-demographic characteristics of the children. Results: The majority of the children (60.3%) in the orphanage were malnourished, with mild, moderate and severe malnourished being 43.1%, 16.8% and 0.4%, respectively. Malnutrition was higher among the boys than girls in the age group of 15-18 years. The orphans suffered significantly (P<0.05) from malnutrition compared to those, who had at least one parent alive. Conclusion: Malnutrition is highly prevalent among children and adolescents under residential care and needs to be addressed. In particular, early identification and intervention can improve the quality of nutritional status of the urban orphanage population. An investigation with a large sample is highly desirable to explore the severity of the problem in the national context.

Introduction: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia is still low. In Palu City, Central Sulawesi, exclusive breastfeeding practice in 2014 was only 59.7% which was far below the national target of 80%. This study aimed to assess modifiable potential factors that can promote exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Palu City. Methods: A total of 80 mothers with a child over the age of 6-24 months attending the Bulili Health Center were recruited into the study using convenience sampling. For purposes of the study potential factors identified for assessment using a standardised questionnaire were knowledge, attitude, practice, socio-culture, formula milk exposure to commercials, and support from health professionals and family. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: Young mothers aged 20-35 years made up more than half the sample (57.5%). In terms of education, 42.5% had graduated from junior high school. Almost two-thirds (63.75%) of the mothers were housewives. Only 26.2% of the subjects practised exclusive breastfeeding. The factors related to exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.05) were attitude, practice, socio-culture factors such as religion, culture and, influence of community and formula milk and exposure to commercials. Multivariate analysis indicated that only practice (p=0.000), socio-culture (p=0.002) and exposure to formula milk commercials (p=0.000) were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: The main modifiable factors that lead to exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Palu are socio-culture followed by practice and formula milk commercials. Besides promotion of cultural aspects, a definite policy on infant formula commercials is needed to support exclusive breastfeeding.

Introduction: Micronutrient malnutrition among young Filipino children is attributed to inadequate food intake and improper feeding practices. To improve nutrient intake, home fortification using multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) targeting 6 -23 monthold children became an intervention program referred to as Point of Use Complementary Food Fortification with Multiple Micronutrient Powders in Zamboanga City and the Municipality of Aurora in Region IX, Philippines. This study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and use of complementary food with MNPs in the context of the said intervention program and implementation areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 randomly selected primary caregivers with 6 -23-month-old children in the covered program areas. A questionnaire designed to elicit knowledge and use of MNPs was developed and pre-tested before data collection. Results: Results showed that all respondents were aware of MNPs, with local health workers as the information source. Percentage of respondents with knowledge of the purpose of MNPs varied widely. Among those who did, the most well-known function was improving children’s health status. The most common practice of fortifying food with MNP involved adding it to boiled rice and vegetable dishes. Home fortification is popularly practised after cooking the food. Of the 20% respondents who claimed to observe changes in their children due to MNP, the top two positive results were children’s increased appetite and increased growth. Conclusion: Awareness of the MNP does not necessarily translate into knowledge of what the MNP is made up of or its purpose. Although home food fortification using MNP was practised by most households, this study revealed deviations from recommendations on how to properly fortify their foods using the MNPs. Based on the findings in this study, there is a need to complement awareness of the primary caregivers with knowledge on MNPs through counselling and initiating support groups among caregivers to serve as credible and first hand examples of the proper use of MNPs.

Introduction: This study aimed to (i) determine rapid weight loss (RWL) practices among Malaysian elite combat sports athletes and (ii) examine the relationship between the characteristics of athletes, self-reported history of weight loss, perceived influence on weight loss and RWL practices. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Malaysian National Sports Institute among elite combat sports athletes (n=40) recruited via a convenience sampling method. The athletes completed a self-administered validated Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire. Each response was provided a score and the total RWL score corresponded to the aggressiveness of weight management methods. Partial correlations were used to assess the relationships between total RWL score and independent variables. Results: The prevalence of RWL among the athletes was high (92.5%). Training with rubber or plastic suits (62.2%) and meal-skipping (27.0%) were the most common RWL techniques practised by the respondents. Aggressive weight-cutting as depicted by a higher total RWL score that correlated with most weight ever lost, duration taken to lose weight, influence of training colleagues and coaches, BMI, current weight and post-competition weight regain (all p<0.05). In contrast, negative correlations were seen between total RWL score, and the age at which the athletes began competing (p<0.001), duration of competition (p<0.001), age at first participation (p<0.05), duration of participation (p<0.05) and influence of nutritionists on weight loss (p<0.05). Conclusion: A high prevalence of aggressive weight loss among elite combat sports athletes and its association with perceived influence of sports professionals, colleagues and actual weight-related characteristics are of great concern.

ntroduction: This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity, sedentary behaviour, television (TV) watching, small screen recreation (SSR), and perinatal life influences (breast-feeding, birth weight) among Jordanian school children. Methods: A total of 117 school children (56 obese and 61 normal weight) aged between 11 and 15 years were selected by using multistage cluster sampling method. Parents were requested to complete the first part of a questionnaire on family background,while the second part on adolescent sedentary behaviour was completed by the participants in the school. Anthropometric data were collected and presence of fat mass (%FM) was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Sedentary behaviour (hours/day) was significantly higher in obese school children compared to normal weight (4.43±0.60, 3.29±0.68, respectively; P <0.05), and positively associated with BMI (r=0.270, P<0.05). Normal weight children spent less time on watching TV (hours/day) compared to obese children (2.01±0.10, 2.34±0.16, respectively; P<0.05), and spent 2.55±1.6 (hours/day) in small screen recreation (SSR) compared to 3.89±1.0 (hours/day) of obese children. Both watching TV and SSR was significantly associated with BMI (r=0.260, r=0.201, respectively; P<0.05). Duration of exclusive breastfeeding (months) was significantly higher in normal weight than obese children (7.70±3.01, 5.05±2.01, respectively; P<0.05), and negatively associated with BMI (r=-0.254) and %FM (r =-0.330). Conclusion: Sedentary behaviour and watching TV were important risk factors for obesity among 11-15 years old Jordanian school children. A national policy promoting active living and reducing sedentary behaviour among school children is recommended.

ntroduction: Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is becoming increasingly popular among cancer patients worldwide. While health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relation to cancer outcomes has attracted global attention, there are few studies on CHM use and HRQoL among cancer patients in Malaysia. This study attempted to determine the association between use of CHM, including the types, reasons, and beliefs, and HRQoL among Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 cancer patients (60 male and 60 female) recruited from government oncology clinics in Johor state. A purposive non-probability sampling was applied to recruit respondents. Results: Use of CHM was reported by about half of the patients (49.2%). Common types of CHM used included Chinese herbal extracts (27.5%), Sabah snake grass (12.2%), and ginger (11.5%). The median score for overall belief in CHM significantly differed between CHM users (71.7%) and non-users (65.0%) (p<0.001). The HRQoL was generally reported as ‘good’ with high scores for overall functioning scales and low scores for symptom scales. However, no significant difference in HRQoL between CHM users and non-users was noted. ‘Social Functioning’ scores between both groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) with respect to sex, with females scoring higher than males. No significant association was noted between CHM use and socio-demographic characteristics except for sex. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of self-prescription of CHM among the cancer patients studied. Nonetheless use of CHM did not show any significant difference in terms of quality of life among CHM users.