ID :
202869
Tue, 08/23/2011 - 08:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/202869
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA AND DUTCH LADY EMBARK STUDY TO COMBAT POOR NUTRITION NATIONWIDE
By Soraya Jamal
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Contrary to popular belief, obesity is not
the only health and nutrition problem many countries have to deal with.
Rapidly developing countries, such as China and India, are facing a problem
being called a 'dual burden of nutrition'.
Also known as the 'double burden of malnutrition', it is the persistence of
under-nutrition, especially among children, along with a rapid rise of
overweight, obese, and diet-related chronic diseases.
Malaysia, too, has not been spared from the problem and obesity is not the
only dietary issue the country has to control.
Malaysia, which is on the brink of developed-nation status, has experienced
a change in lifestyles and this has had an impact on the population’s dietary
intake.
"Let’s say about America, their problem is that more than 50 per cent of the
population is overweight and obese, but if you look at countries such as
Bangladesh, for example, their proportion of malnutrition is very large and
their problem is to tackle this," Dr Poh Bee Koon, Head of Department of
Nutrition and Dietetics, National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia - UKM), told Bernama recently.
"If you look at Malaysia, we have about 25 to 30 per cent (of an overweight
population), but we also have a smaller proportion, about 10 per cent, that is
under-weight," she said.
"Although obesity is the main issue, we still have to take care of the
malnutrition problem. We cannot just concentrate on one issue," she noted.
LACK OF UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
However, there currently is a lack of up-to-date, in-depth information on
the state of nutrition of Malaysian children.
Also, there are a few gaps that have been identified in the Nutrition
Research Priorities for the 10th Malaysia Plan issued by the Ministry of Health.
One is the need to study adolescents and those from vulnerable groups such
as infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, pregnant women, and the elderly.
There is also a gap in data from indigenous groups, and there is little
behavioural data linked to nutrition. More measurements are needed for
micronutrient intakes, too, said Dr Poh.
This is why UKM is conducting in-depth research on nutrition nationwide to
identify the nutritional needs of children and add to the knowledge in the field
of nutrition in Malaysia.
This study is a collaboration between the Department of Nutrition and
Dietetics-UKM, with Royal Friesland Campina, the parent company of Dutch Lady
Malaysia, and is part of a Southeast Asia nutrition study.
Dutch Lady Malaysia’s Senior Nutritionist, Loo Mei Fong, said a similar
study is also being conducted in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH
This study, which began in 2009, measures and monitors about 4,000 children
and infants aged from 6 months to 12 years old, both in rural and urban areas.
Its main objective is to assess the nutritional status of Malaysian children
ages 6 months to 12 years old.
The need for accurate information is important so that more effective
measures could be taken and anticipated to combat future problems.
The study in Malaysia covers the Northern, Central, Southern, East Coast,
Sabah and Sarawak.
Dr Poh said there is little specific research on nutritional intake, such as
iodine intake or on anemia in the country.
This extensive study includes dietary profiling and nutrient intake
assessments that involved a survey of food intakes and consumption habits.
VALUABLE INSIGHTS
The children will also have their physical activity measured using a
pedometer attached to a special belt.
The pedometer would then track information, such as how many steps are taken
by each child in a day.
The children would also be tested for measurement of bone density to
determine whether a particular child has a lower bone density than his peers.
A special test would also be done to determine the IQ of children and relate
it to the food they eat.
Lastly, a blood test will be performed to measure the level of vitamins, as
well to conduct a lipid profile. However, this will be done only with the
consent of the parents.
This research is the first step to fill the knowledge gap in the
multicultural and multi-dietary nutritional intake of children in Malaysia.
It is hoped it will offer valuable insights and be a catalyst for the
formation of well-informed programmes for boosting the health and nutrition of
future generations, Dr Poh said.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATION
A data collecting team is currently in East Malaysia and expected to
complete its work by the end of the year. The results of the study should be
available in early second quarter of 2012.
Based upon preliminary observations, there are several poor eating habits
detected among Malaysian children, such as too much snacking, not eating
breakfast and eating late at night.
"There are also cases among pre-pubescent girls who refused to eat because
they want to ‘jaga badan’," Dr Poh pointed out.
The study will allow parents, governments and nutrition professionals to
gain in-depth understanding into the needs and patterns of today’s children’s
nutritional habits.
"The findings will also allow us to tailor the formulation of our dairy
products to meet the specific nutritional needs of children in Malaysia," said
Loo, adding that each market has specific nutritional needs and this study would
allow Dutch Lady to better understand and serve the Malaysian community.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Contrary to popular belief, obesity is not
the only health and nutrition problem many countries have to deal with.
Rapidly developing countries, such as China and India, are facing a problem
being called a 'dual burden of nutrition'.
Also known as the 'double burden of malnutrition', it is the persistence of
under-nutrition, especially among children, along with a rapid rise of
overweight, obese, and diet-related chronic diseases.
Malaysia, too, has not been spared from the problem and obesity is not the
only dietary issue the country has to control.
Malaysia, which is on the brink of developed-nation status, has experienced
a change in lifestyles and this has had an impact on the population’s dietary
intake.
"Let’s say about America, their problem is that more than 50 per cent of the
population is overweight and obese, but if you look at countries such as
Bangladesh, for example, their proportion of malnutrition is very large and
their problem is to tackle this," Dr Poh Bee Koon, Head of Department of
Nutrition and Dietetics, National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia - UKM), told Bernama recently.
"If you look at Malaysia, we have about 25 to 30 per cent (of an overweight
population), but we also have a smaller proportion, about 10 per cent, that is
under-weight," she said.
"Although obesity is the main issue, we still have to take care of the
malnutrition problem. We cannot just concentrate on one issue," she noted.
LACK OF UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
However, there currently is a lack of up-to-date, in-depth information on
the state of nutrition of Malaysian children.
Also, there are a few gaps that have been identified in the Nutrition
Research Priorities for the 10th Malaysia Plan issued by the Ministry of Health.
One is the need to study adolescents and those from vulnerable groups such
as infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, pregnant women, and the elderly.
There is also a gap in data from indigenous groups, and there is little
behavioural data linked to nutrition. More measurements are needed for
micronutrient intakes, too, said Dr Poh.
This is why UKM is conducting in-depth research on nutrition nationwide to
identify the nutritional needs of children and add to the knowledge in the field
of nutrition in Malaysia.
This study is a collaboration between the Department of Nutrition and
Dietetics-UKM, with Royal Friesland Campina, the parent company of Dutch Lady
Malaysia, and is part of a Southeast Asia nutrition study.
Dutch Lady Malaysia’s Senior Nutritionist, Loo Mei Fong, said a similar
study is also being conducted in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH
This study, which began in 2009, measures and monitors about 4,000 children
and infants aged from 6 months to 12 years old, both in rural and urban areas.
Its main objective is to assess the nutritional status of Malaysian children
ages 6 months to 12 years old.
The need for accurate information is important so that more effective
measures could be taken and anticipated to combat future problems.
The study in Malaysia covers the Northern, Central, Southern, East Coast,
Sabah and Sarawak.
Dr Poh said there is little specific research on nutritional intake, such as
iodine intake or on anemia in the country.
This extensive study includes dietary profiling and nutrient intake
assessments that involved a survey of food intakes and consumption habits.
VALUABLE INSIGHTS
The children will also have their physical activity measured using a
pedometer attached to a special belt.
The pedometer would then track information, such as how many steps are taken
by each child in a day.
The children would also be tested for measurement of bone density to
determine whether a particular child has a lower bone density than his peers.
A special test would also be done to determine the IQ of children and relate
it to the food they eat.
Lastly, a blood test will be performed to measure the level of vitamins, as
well to conduct a lipid profile. However, this will be done only with the
consent of the parents.
This research is the first step to fill the knowledge gap in the
multicultural and multi-dietary nutritional intake of children in Malaysia.
It is hoped it will offer valuable insights and be a catalyst for the
formation of well-informed programmes for boosting the health and nutrition of
future generations, Dr Poh said.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATION
A data collecting team is currently in East Malaysia and expected to
complete its work by the end of the year. The results of the study should be
available in early second quarter of 2012.
Based upon preliminary observations, there are several poor eating habits
detected among Malaysian children, such as too much snacking, not eating
breakfast and eating late at night.
"There are also cases among pre-pubescent girls who refused to eat because
they want to ‘jaga badan’," Dr Poh pointed out.
The study will allow parents, governments and nutrition professionals to
gain in-depth understanding into the needs and patterns of today’s children’s
nutritional habits.
"The findings will also allow us to tailor the formulation of our dairy
products to meet the specific nutritional needs of children in Malaysia," said
Loo, adding that each market has specific nutritional needs and this study would
allow Dutch Lady to better understand and serve the Malaysian community.
