INTRODUCTION: Subclinical changes that occur in the heart at an early age may provide valuable information to outline prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects regulation of autonomic balance, heart, and vascular tone, which are the determinants of blood pressure. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the difference in heart rate variability (HRV) of Malay male young adult with their BMI and adiposity level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 201 Malay male young adult aged between 19 to 24 years old were screened and their BMI and adiposity level were measured. Three non -invasive tests; Valsalva Manoeuvre, orthostatic response and 30/15 ratio of heart rate were performed. Short term HRV time and frequency domains were recorded. RESULTS: Despite few significant differences in HRV parameters of overweight/obese subjects, the result is inconclusive to conclude any reduced variability. However, those with high adiposity regardless of their BMI reported significantly lower mean of R -R SD in time domain and lower mean of LF/HF ratio in frequency domain. The orthostatic reflex results revealed that high adiposity subjects had significantly lower mean of LF and HF. A decrement of -0.28 ms2 HF/LF during Valsalva manoeuvre, -0.35 LF ms2 in orthostatic reflex and 0.33 ms2 in orthostatic reflex per 1% of body fat percentage were observed. CONCLUSION: HRV parameters were inversely proportional to the adiposity level which was suggestive of modulation of sympathetic function can occur at an early age.

This study targeted two candidate genes from the best known regulator of blood pressure; the rennin angiotensin system; the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism. The study aimed to determine the genotypes trend between two different populations; the primary hypertensive patients, and the normal populations. 126 subjects were involved in this study (86 primary hypertensive patients and 40 normal individuals). All demographic factors were considered and analyzed.Insertion/deletion polymorphisms of the ACE gene were determined by an assay based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Polymorphism analysis using PCR-RFLP procedure was used to identify the missense mutation M235T of the AGT gene. All significant data was collected using standardized case report form. The association of the different genotypes and the subjects' condition was analyzed using the chi squared and odds ration analyses. In the pooled analysis of both groups, it was shown that the polymorphisms in these genes were significantly associated with the incidence of primary hypertension, p<0.05. Results also showed that the D allele of the ACE gene may be associated with increased risk of primary hypertension (p<0.05,O.R:3.0[C.I: 1.25-5.35]). The angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism also showed a significant result; the T allele is associated with increased risk of primary hypertension (p<0.05,O.R:2.56[C.I: 1.55-5.28]). This knowledge of the candidate genes of rennin angiotensin system has rendered it possible to show that gene polymorphism in symphony leads to the individual risk of primary hypertension

The study evaluates the prevalence, knowledge, attitude, and practices of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adult Orang Asli and Malay ethnicity in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This cross-sectional study involving 634 respondents aged 18 years and above of Orang Asli (51.3%) and Malays (48.7%) from the rural villages. Structured interview questionnaire for disease history and KAP level conducted. Weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels then measured. Prevalence of NCDs was higher among Malays compared to Orang Asli with hypertension (35.0% vs 14.8%), hypercholesterolemia (31.1% vs 5.2%), and diabetes mellitus (16.2% vs 4.3%), respectively. Malays also had a higher percentage of being abdominal obese (70.6% vs 59.7%) and increased blood pressure (54.4% vs 29.8%). Multivariate analysis indicates hypercholesterolemia [OR=6.035 (95%CI: 3.150,11.561)], abdominal obesity [aOR= 1.807 (95%CI: 1.065, 3.067)], and increased in blood pressure [aOR= 2.359 (95%C1: 1.619,3.437)] have a significant relation with Malay ethnicity. For Orang Asli, 51.7% had poor knowledge, 72.3% had a good attitude, and 16.0% had a good practice. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly less among Orang Asli with no significant difference for practice compared to the Malays. The prevalence of NCDs among the Malays is alarmingly high, with an increasing trend among Orang Asli, which needs immediate attention. The NCDs and obesity were significant among Malays but also showed a worrying trend in the Orang Asli as the good practice on a healthy life-style was low in both ethnicities. Thus, proper education and promotion regarding NCDs needed for diseases screening and prevention.

Introduction: Data on water and sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) intake among young adults in Malaysia is sparse. This study aimed at measuring the intake of plain water and SSB among undergraduate students in a Malaysian university and examine its association with body mass index (BMI). Methods: A total of 376 undergraduate students aged 18-30 years were recruited. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to determine the SSB consumption pattern. The questionnaire consisted of five sections that included the background of the participants, knowledge about SSB, SSB preferences, frequency and portion size. Results: 23.9% of subjects in this study were overweight. Almost all of the subjects took outside food (93.1%) and drink (74.2%). The highest daily consumption was plain water (92.3%), with a majority drinking more than two cups at each intake. Caffeinated drinks (coffee or tea) were the most popular SSB among the students (18.4%). Most students (79.7%) did not consume SSB on a daily basis. A significant association was found between the proportion of plain water consumption and BMI (p<0.05). Those who were overweight consumed a greater amount of plain water as compared to those underweight. Conclusion: Our findings of low plain water intake among the underweight may be used to tailor intervention efforts to increase its intake and reduce that of SSB, especially among underweight young adults.

Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown has been linked to alterations in eating behaviour and a sedentary lifestyle. As human-to-human transmission rapidly increased, the Movement Control Order (MCO) was put in place as an attempt to minimise the risk of the virus spreading in the community. This study aimed to determine whether eating behaviour was associated with sleep quality and physical activity among college students in Malaysia during MCO. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among Malaysian students aged between 20 to 34 years old. A simple random sampling method was applied and the participants had to complete an online survey consisting of a validated Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), distributed via an online platform. Results: A total of 370 students participated, with 22.4% emotional eaters, 58.6% external eaters, and 23.0% restrained eaters. In addition, 64.3% had poor sleep quality, while 57.6% claimed to be physically active. However, no correlations were found between all eating behaviour subscales with sleep quality and physical activity. Conclusion: More than half of college students presented with external eating behaviours. Early screening and further investigations should be done, especially with the high rate of poor sleepers, to promote and sustain a healthy lifestyle during and beyond COVID-19.