Aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship between functional limitations and depression among community‐dwelling older adults in Malaysia. Methods: Data from a nation‐wide community‐based cross‐sectional study were analyzed. This study was conducted using a two‐stage stratified random sampling design. In total, 3772 older adults aged ≥60 years responded to the survey. Depression was identified using a validated Malay version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (M‐GDS‐14), with those scored ≥6 categorized as having depression. Functional limitations were assessed using both Barthel's Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). The relationship was determined by multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for other variables. Results: The prevalence of depression was 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.4, 13.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis found that older adults with limitations in ADL were 2.6 times more likely of having depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.58, 95% CI 2.01, 3.32), while those with limitations in IADL the risk of having depression was almost doubled (aOR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.14). Other significant factors were incontinence (aOR 3.33, 95% CI: 2.33, 4.74), chronic medical illness (aOR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.81), current smoker (aOR 4.19, 95% CI: 1.69, 10.39), poor social support (aOR 4.30, 95% CI: 2.98, 6.20), do not have partner, ethnic minorities and low individual monthly income. Conclusions: Older adults with functional limitation in both basic ADL and complex IADL are independently at higher risk of having depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 21–25.

Limited evidence on the association of being bullied with depression among adolescents was found in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the association of being bullied and depression among Malaysian school-going adolescents. Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2017, a cross-sectional study conducted from March to May 2017, was analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression analysis. A validated tool, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 was used to categorize those with moderate or higher levels of depressive symptoms as having depression. A total of 27 399 school-going adolescents participated and 18.3% were found depressed. Adolescents of Indian ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.02, P < .001), those with parents living apart (aOR = 1.41, P < .001), and those who were being bullied (aOR = 2.98, P < .001) were more likely to have depression. This study demonstrated the association between being bullied and having depression. Comprehensive preventive strategies should be implemented taking into consideration the findings from this study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention programme among overweight and obese adolescents in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of the intervention (n = 200) and compared with control group (n = 200). The intervention was developed based on social cognitive theory, conducted in a group based, five-session of face-to-face, bi-weekly for 10 weeks. The primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI) and BMI-for-age z-scores (BAZ), whereas the secondary outcomes were breakfast consumption, physical activity level, self efficacy, and body satisfaction. T-tests and generalized linear mixed model analysis were used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention, while controlling for covariates. A significant intervention effect was found in reducing BMI and BAZ. BMI of the participants in the intervention group was reduced from 28.10 kg/m2 to 27.93 kg/m2, and further decreased to 27.80 kg/m2, while BAZ was reduced from 2.19 to 2.12, and further decreased to 2.07, from baseline to immediate post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up, respectively. Furthermore, there was significant improvement in breakfast consumption frequency, physical activity scores, healthy eating and weight self-efficacy scores, perceived physical activity self-efficacy scores, and body discrepancy scores as compared with the control group. The integrated school-based intervention programme was effective in reducing BMI and BAZ among overweight and obese participants. The results suggested that this programme could be integrated as one of the regular school co-curricular programmes.

Introduction: Obesity is recognized as a serious public health threat. Recent evidence has warned of the alarming rise in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity throughout the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and its associations with socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors among school-going adolescents in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 2,221 adolescents were randomly selected from eight secondary schools. A questionnaire was administered to assess socio-demographic profiles, meal patterns, physical activity level, self-efficacy, self-esteem, body size satisfaction, perception of body weight status, depression, anxiety, stress, and nutrition knowledge. Bodyweight and height were measured and BMI-for-age z scores were computed to determine the body weight status. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Results: The prevalence of overweight among the participants in this study was 17.0%, while the prevalence of obesity was 14.9%. The significant predictors of overweight and obesity in this study were breakfast skipping, low physical activity level, low self-efficacy scores in terms of healthy eating, weight and physical activity, body dissatisfaction, and perception of large body size. Conclusion: The results emphasize the need to broaden the scope of nutrition guidelines, public health policies, and programs to address overweight and obesity among adolescents in Malaysia. The findings also suggest that health education programs should cover practical advice for modifying healthy eating behaviors, increasing physical activity, as well as matters on body image and body satisfaction.

Dementia is the major cause of disability among older persons and leading physical and psychological sequelae for both the person living with dementia (PLwD) and their caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia in Malaysia and identify the factors influencing quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of PLwD.MethodsA nationwide survey was conducted among individuals aged ≥60 years. Cognition was assessed with the Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) tool. QoL of older caregivers was assessed using the Control, Autonomy, Self‐Realization and Pleasure (CASP‐19) questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of dementia among older adults aged ≥60 years in Malaysia was found to be 8.5%. The prevalence was found to be higher among females, those with no formal education and those in rural areas in Malaysia. The mean QoL of family caregivers of PLwD was significantly lower than the caregivers of older adults without dementia were (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis on the subpopulation of PLwD showed that inability to carry out activities of daily living among PLwD (P = 0.014) and low to fair social support for the caregivers (P < 0.001) were negatively associated with QoL of caregivers of PLwD.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of dementia among older adults in Malaysia emphasizes the need for affirmative action in Malaysia. The functional capacity of the PLwD and social support determines the QoL of caregivers of PLwD in Malaysia. Thus, the community as a whole needs to provide support to PLwD and their caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 16–20.

Background. Home injuries among elderly people are a public health concern. This study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of home injuries among elderly people in Malaysia. Methods. The Third National Health and Morbidity survey in 2006 was carried out from April to July 2006. The sample was proportional to population size and selected in 2 stages. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire. Only injuries occurring within the previous year were included to avoid recall bias. The types of home injury, places where the injuries occurred, ability to work after the injury, and hospital admission were recorded, as were demographic variables such as sex, age, marital status, ethnicity, and residential area. Results. Of 4842 respondents aged ≥60 years, 279 (5.8%) had experienced some kind of home injury within the previous year. The most common types of injury were fall (n=205), cuts (n=43), and being struck by objects (n=14). The most common injury locations were the kitchen (n=81), garden (n=65), bathroom/toilet (n=45), living room (n=26), bedroom (n=22), and stairs (n=21). Home injury rates were significantly higher among women than men (7.4% vs. 3.9%, p<0.001). Married elderly people were less likely to have a home injury than divorced/widowed or single elderly people (4.9% vs. 8.0% vs. 8.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that women (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.37-2.55) and respondents aged 70-74 years (adjusted OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.02-2.07) were more likely to sustain a home injury. Conclusion. With the increase in the elderly population, home injury prevention programmes are urgently needed.