The Association between Calcium and Vitamin Bs Intake among Schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Wong, Siau Yen (2019) The Association between Calcium and Vitamin Bs Intake among Schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Calcium and vitamin Bs are vital for body functions and are associated with several health benefits. Strong evidence that low calcium intake during childhood will have a negative effect on bone health. Bone health may also be associated with other nutrients such as vitamin B. This study aimed to identify the association between vitamin Bs and calcium intake among schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this cross sectional study, a total of 392 schoolchildren, aged from 10 to 11 years were cluster sampled from five randomly selected primary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3-day 24-hour dietary recalls which included two weekdays and one weekend were were used to assess the vitamin Bs and calcium intake. Among the 392 respondents’ calcium and B vitamin intakes, only riboflavin can achieved the RNI Malaysia recommendation with 1.3mg/d (SD 0.6g/d), calcium (508.7 ± 255.6 mg/d), thiamine (0.8 ± 0.3 mg/d), niacin (12.5 ± 4.0 mg/d), pantothenic acid (0.1 ± 0.5 mg/d), pyridoxine (1.1 ± 0.4 mg/d), biotin (0.16 ± 2.3 μg/d), folate (93.4 ± 74.8 μg/d) and cobalamin (2.3 ± 1.8 μg/d) are below the RNI Malaysia. Significant associations were found between the calcium and all the B vitamins, thiamine (r=0.421; p<0.001), riboflavin (r=0.600; p<0.001), niacin (r=0.389; p<0.001), pantothenic acid (r=0.150; p=0.003), pyridoxine (r=0.281; p<0.001), biotin (r=0.113; p=0.025), folate (r=0.347; p<0.001) and cobalamin (r=0.198; p<0.001). Efforts are needed to focus regarding the inadequate intakes of calcium and vitamin Bs and come out some interventions to increase both of the intakes in the future by ensuring well balanced diet and healthy eat habit are developed among schoolchildren.