Whole Grains Intake and Its Relationship with Anthropometric Outcomes among School Children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Danaselvam, Ugunesh (2020) Whole Grains Intake and Its Relationship with Anthropometric Outcomes among School Children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Whole grain are complex carbohydrates that brings a lot of health benefits to the consumers in all age groups. Nevertheless, it plays an important role in managing the prevalence of obesity among people. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the whole grain intake and the anthropometric outcomes among primary school children and their nutritional status. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 419 students were recruited aged 10 to 12 years old and only 391 subjects were included and analysed from primary schools in Kuala Lumpur. Dietary intakes were assessed using 3 days dietary record method and anthropometric profiles were also obtained. Subjects had partially adequate whole grain intakes which is ¼ of the recommended serving per day according to recommended intake of 43g/d for whole grain in RNI Malaysia 2017. The overall median intake of whole grains 9.68 (IqR 16.57) g/day compared to females 7.43 (IqR 14.96) g/day, BMI z score of -0.21 (IqR 2.37), waist hip ratio of 0.85 (IqR 0.09) cm and percentage of body fat of 21.2 (IqR 14.80). The prevalence of obesity was 2.30% (n=9), with more girls 2.40% (n=5) than boys 2.20% (n=4). There is significant association between the whole grain intakes on the BMI z score (r = 0.114, p = 0.024) and the waist-hip ratio (r = 0.131, p = 0.009). No associations were found between the whole grain intakes on the waist circumference (r = 0.089, p = 0.078), visceral fat level (r = 0.074, p = 0.143) and percentage of body fat (r = 0.063, p = 0.212). Majority of the students are under weight (63.9%) and followed by normal (27.6%). Only minority (8.44%) of overall study population are overweight and obese in accordance to the classification of WHO 2004. There is significant difference between the visceral fat distribution (U= 15293, z= -3.43, p<0.01) and in percentage of body fat (U= 15373.5, z= -3.29, p<0.01) between males and girls. In conclusion, efforts need to be taken to increase the consumption of whole grains among school children. More studies need to be conducted on the whole grain intakes on the body weight status and the visceral fat associations.