Welcome to NIH Research Digital Repository System

Background: The effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for weight loss on cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese individuals in the community setting remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 6-month weight loss lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese women and the sustainability of the changes in those markers at 12-month follow-up, comparing an intervention group with a control group. Methods: A total of 243 participants from MyBFF@home were included in this study. Fasting blood samples at baseline, 6- and 12-month were assessed for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides. The effect of the intervention on cardiometabolic risk markers were investigated within and between study groups using t-test and general linear model (GLM) repeated measure ANOVA. Results: Results from repeated measures ANOVA showed intervention effect only in TC where significant reduction was found in the intervention group (− 0.26 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0.47 to − 0.06], p < 0.01) compared to the control group (− 0.06 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0.28 to 0.17]) at 12 months. At 6 months, TC was reduced significantly in both groups but only intervention group retained the reduction in maintenance phase while, the level increased significantly in the control group (0.22 mmol/L [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.38]). This attributed to significant increase in TC/HDL-C ratio in the control group during maintenance phase (0.32 [95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50], p < 0.001). The intervention group also showed trend of reduction in FPG at 6 months and further decreased during maintenance phase (− 0.19 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0. 32 to − 0.06], p < 0.01). At 6 months HDL-C was maintained in the intervention group but reduced significantly in the control group (− 0.05 mmol/L [95% CI: – 0.10 to − 0.01], p < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in both markers when compared between groups. Conclusions: In the context of low socio-economic communities, this study supports that weight loss related lifestyle modifications over a 6-month period could improve selected cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly fasting glucose, TC and HDL-C in overweight and obese women with favourable sustainability over a 12-month period.

INTRODUCTION: Unplanned pregnancy is a major public health concern globally. Numerous studies found various factors that can predict or determine unplanned pregnancy. However, there were no studies that reported this problem in Malaysia. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy in Malaysia and the associated factors. METHODS: This nationwide cross-sectional study targeted to women at postpartum period at government primary health care clinics throughout Malaysia. Structured questionnaire with face-to-face interview was used for data collection. The factors studied included mothers’ age, husband’s age, ethnicity, religion, marital status, education, occupation, household income, polygamous marriage, family support, contraception used, and disagreement of husband on contraception, smoking and alcohol consumption. History of emotional, physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) were also studied. RESULTS: A total of 5727 Malaysian postpartum mothers were involved in this survey. The prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was 42.9% (95% CI: 38.6, 47.4). The multivariate logistic regression revealed that older mothers aged 45-49 years old (aOR: 8.010; 95%CI: 1.909, 33.013) and Muslim mothers (aOR: 2.465; 95%CI: 1.432-4.241) were significantly associated with unplanned pregnancy. In terms of household income, mothers with less than RM1000 per month were 1.712 (95% CI: 1.080, 2.713) times more likely to have unplanned pregnancy. The other significant associated factor was history of emotional intimate partner violence; aOR [1.720 (95% CI: 1.011, 2.925)]. CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned pregnancies were observed to be higher among older Muslim women from low income family. A possibility of unmet need for family planning should be considered and appropriate intervention strategies planned for these at-risk population.

Background: Diabetes and obesity are established risk factors for stroke. The current study aimed to assess risk factors of ischemic stroke recurrence in diabetic patients based on their body mass index (BMI). Methods: A total of 4005 diabetic patients who had a history of ischemic stroke were identified in a retrospective cross-sectional dataset from the Malaysian National Neurology Registry. Patients were classified based on BMI, and multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and recurrent ischemic stroke. Results: Among obese patients, those with ischemic heart disease (aOR, 1.873; 95% CI, 1.131–3.103), received formal education (aOR, 2.236; 95% CI, 1.306–3.830), and received anti-diabetic medication (aOR, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.180–2.708) had a higher stroke recurrence risk, while receiving angiotensin receptors blockers (aOR, 0.261; 95% CI, 0.126–0.543) lowered the odds of recurrence. Overweight patients with hypertension (aOR, 1.011; 95% CI, 1.002–1.019) for over 10 years (aOR, 3.385; 95% CI, 1.088–10.532) and diabetes prior to the first stroke (aOR, 1.823; 95% CI, 1.020–3.259) as well as those received formal education (aOR, 2.403; 95% CI, 1.126–5.129) had higher odds of stroke recurrence, while receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (aOR, 0.244; 95% CI, 0.111–0.538) lowered the recurrence risk. Normal weight East Malaysians (aOR, 0.351; 95% CI, 0.164–0.750) receiving beta-blockers (aOR, 0.410; 95% CI, 0.174–0.966) had lower odds of stroke recurrence. Conclusions: Ischemic heart disease, hypertension, receiving anti-hypertensive agents, and educational level were independent predictors of recurrent stroke in obese patients. Managing the modifiable risk factors can decrease the odds of stroke recurrence.

Ruminants continue to be important in their traditional role in agricultural research and teaching. They are now also extensively used for studies in molecular biology; genetic engineering; and biotechnology for basic science, agricultural and clinical applications. Concern and interest for the welfare for these species and improved understanding of their biology and behavior have continued and are reflected in changing husbandry and management systems. This chapter addresses at high levels basic biology, husbandry, and the more common or important diseases of the three ruminant species used most commonly in the laboratory, namely sheep, goats and cattle.