Excessive salt intake has been linked to the development of hypertension and non-communicable diseases. This study aims to explore the different types of salt reduction intervention implemented among adults aged ≥18 years and to identify the suitable settings, duration and tools used for effective salt reduction interventions. This review adapted the established structured scoping review framework by Arksey and O’Malley. Related articles from the year 2008 to 2018 were retrieved based on the study objectives using keywords in electronic databases and through a bibliographic search of books, reports, conference proceedings, posters and summaries. Out of 130 potentially relevant full-text articles assessed, 14 articles were included in the review. Suitable salt reduction initiatives for the community who regularly consume home-cooked food are through cooking and usage of a tool such as a salt-restriction spoon, together with awareness on the benefits of salt reduction in their daily diet. Healthy catering initiative should be implemented in the workplace or institution-based settings. Policy development targeting the source of salts such as mandatory usage of salt-substitutes or Front-of-Pack labelling of salt content in all food products suitable for population-level intervention.

Background: Body weight misperception refers to a perception of either underestimation or overestimation of own body weight irrespective of actual body mass index. This study aimed to determine body weight misperception and its associated factors among Malaysian adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study with two-stage stratified cluster sampling data was obtained from Adolescents Nutrition Survey 2017 which involved 40087 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old. Socio-demography and body weight perception data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis using complex sample was performed for data analysis. Result: Findings showed that among adolescents who were actually in overweight categories but misperceived themselves to be thin and normal was 49.3%. Logistic regression revealed that boys [aOR: 1.16 (95% CI: 1.089, 1.228)] , primary school [aOR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.393, 1.644)] and taking dietary supplement [aOR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.048, 1.183)] were significantly associated with body weight misperception. Conclusion: This findings should be utilised by relevant programme managers in developing school-based health promotion program through education or curriculum syllabus to inculcate healthy body image among the adolescent.

Introduction: Fall is a health problem for older persons. This study investigates the potential factors of concern: the nutritional status of older persons and non-communicable disease association with incidence of falls. Methods: This study used data from NHMS 2018, and conducted a cross-sectional design by applying two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics such as the percentage of each variable were done. Factors associated with falls were determined at both univariate and multivariable levels using simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression. The data were presented as standard values for each analysis and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI with p values (<0.05). Results: A total of 3,867 from 3,977 elderly (mean age 68.2+ 6.85) were recruited with the response rate of 97.2%. Factors associated with fall were 70 years old and above (AOR= 1.34, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.64), obesity (AOR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.98), undernutrition (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.94), persons with 2 NCDs (AOR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.92) and persons with 3 NCDs (AOR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.16). Conclusions: Advanced age, malnutrition, obesity, and having two or more NCDs are associated with falls in the NHMS 2018 study. In conclusion, falls are prevalent among older persons. There is an urgent need for public health strategies and programmes to decrease the incidence of modifiable risk factors and early identification of those at risk. Implementation of fall preventive programs which includes multifactorial interventions at hospitals and homes can also significantly reduce incidence of falls among older persons.

Based on Malaysian Dietary Guidelines, five servings of fruits and vegetables should be taken every day to meet nutrient requirement. This study aim to determine the prevalence of fruits and vegetables intake and its predictive socio-demography factors among adults aged 18 years and above in Malaysia based on the findings from the Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2014. This study was a cross-sectional population-based household survey using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. A total of 2,820 respondents comprising of 1,302 males and 1,518 females were interviewed to obtain socio-demographic information and data on food intake. Overall prevalence of fruits and vegetables intake that met food pyramid recommendation was 22.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.6-25.3%]. Prevalence of those not meeting the required fruits and vegetables intake was higher [77.6% (95% CI: 74.2-80.7%)] among males compared to females. Adults of 40-49 years of age, those with a tertiary educational level and a household income level of more than RM 3,500 (USD862.06) have a higher prevalence [24.7% (95% CI: 20.9-28.9%)], 25.8% (95% CI: 21.8-30.4%) and 27.6% (95% CI, 23.2-32.5), respectively] of meeting the recommended daily fruits and vegetables intake. Knowledge on the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables is an important factor to encourage Malaysian to meet this daily food requirement. Thus, promotion and education on eating fruits and vegetables should be given to Malaysians of all ages.

Physical fighting among adolescents is one manifestation of interpersonal violence that is an important issue globally, but attention to this problem in Malaysia has been limited. We analyzed data available from the Malaysia Global School-Based Health Survey conducted in 2012. Of the 25 507 respondents, 27.4% reported having been in a physical fight in the past 12 months. Being bullied (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.67-3.39) was significantly and highly associated with involvement in physical fighting. Smoking (aOR = 2.56; 95% CI = 2.20-2.97), males (aOR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.62-1.93), using drugs (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.09-2.15), and drinking alcohol (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.24-1.63) were other factors associated with physical fighting. Parental supervision showed no significant association with physical fighting. These findings indicate that more attention needs to be given to bullying at school by school authorities and parents.

Background: Prediabetes is a global health problem among the non-communicable diseases and much effort has been exerted in the past in response to the increased prevalence of prediabetes. The objective of this scoping review is to describe evidences on the types of prediabetes diet and intervention studies available for prediabetes and its effects on glycaemic control. Materials and Methods: The scoping review was conducted based on the framework by Arksey and O’Malley. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) diagram was used as a guide to record the review process. Articles from years 1995 until 2020 on prediabetes diet among adults aged 18 years and above were retrieved based on the keywords using electronic databases (Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar). Virtual library databases were also included in the searches. Result: A total of 652 articles were identified through database searches and 20 records were identified through manual search. A total of 205 duplicate records were removed and subsequently, the titles and abstracts of 467 records were screened for inclusion. The full texts of 223 articles were reviewed for eligibility, and finally, 78 studies were included in the review. Conclusion: The prediabetes state is reversible and provides an opportunity for treatment. Therefore, the focus on nutrition must be included in diabetes prevention strategies. Currently, a diet low in fat intake, rich in fiber, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables, as well as a Mediterranean-type diet, may be recommended for the prevention of diabetes in prediabetes.

Background: Sodium intake is associated with anthropometric measurement including weight, waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI). Higher intake of sodium is usually linked to higher risk of obesity among adults globally, especially in developing countries. This study aims to explore the probable relationship between sodium intake by 24-h urine excretion assessment and anthropometric measurement of adults in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2017 to March 2018 using a multi-stage stratified sampling method among Malaysian adults aged 18 years old and above. Sodium intake was determined by 24-h urinary sodium excretion, estimated from the respondents’ 24-h urinary sample. Height was obtained based on standard protocol. Weight and WC were measured twice using validated anthropometric equipment and BMI was calculated according to World Health Organization (WHO) 1998 classification. Descriptive analysis was done to describe socio-demographic characteristics. A simple linear regression and multiple linear regression tests were done to assess the relationship of 24-h urinary excretion and anthropometric measurement. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Of 1047 interviewed respondents, 798 respondents had done the 24-h urine collection (76.0% response rate). Majority was between 40 and 59 years old (43.5%) and married (77.7%). Simple linear regression showed a significant positive linear association between 24-h urinary excretion and household income, WC, and obese group. In the multivariate analysis, it was indicated that, an increase of 1 unit of BMI will significantly increase the sodium intake by 129.20 mg/dl and an increase of 1 cm of WC will significantly increase the sodium intake by 376.45 mg/dl. Conclusion: Our study showed a positive significant relationship between sodium intake estimated by 24-h urinary sodium excretion and BMI of Malaysian adults. More research is suggested on how sodium control can potentially contribute to obesity prevention.