Criterion-Related Validity of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Questionnaire Among Children and Adolescents in Malaysia.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of dietary sugar, and their consumption is on the rise among children and adolescents. Excessive sugar intake is a significant contributor to overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The consumption of SSBs, particularly that of children and adolescents, has been of interest as of late, as they are implicated in affecting body weight status.

An 8-Week Vitamin D3-Fortified Fruit Drink Supplementation Increases Serum Ferritin Concentration: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Malaysian Women With Low Iron Stores.

Background: There is limited randomized controlled trial evidence to support the association between vitamin D deficiency and anemia risk, highlighting the necessity for further investigations into the role of vitamin D in influencing iron status.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin D3-fortified fruit drink consumption (4,000 IU) on vitamin D and iron status biomarkers among iron-deficient women (serum ferritin of <20 μg/L [to convert μg/L ferritin to ng/mL, multiply by 1]).

Design: An 8-week double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted.

Effect of vitamin D3-fortified fruit juice supplementation of 4000 IU daily on the recovery of iron status in childbearing-aged women with marginally low iron stores: Protocol for an 8-week, parallel group, double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: In recent years, emerging evidence has highlighted the role of vitamin D as an iron absorption enhancer by suppressing hepcidin concentration, albeit with an unclear underlying mechanism. Dietary-based approach in improving iron status has been widely practised, however, there is a scarcity in randomized controlled trials (RCT) to elucidate the effect of vitamin D-fortified juice on iron status recovery. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of an 8-week vitamin D3-fortified fruit juice supplementation on iron status indicators in childbearing-aged women with marginally low iron stores.

Exploration of Food-Seeking Behaviour, Food Preparation, and Restrictions to Sufficient Food among the Jahai Sub-Tribe (Indigenous People) in Gerik, Malaysia.

Access to food has been determined to be a factor that strongly influences the dietary intake and eating habit of indigenous people (, OA). This study explored food acquisition and the barriers in obtaining traditional and market foods among the Jahai subtribe (within the Negrito ethnic group) via a qualitative approach. Twenty-eight OA (14 males and 14 females) from Gerik, Perak, Malaysia participated in four focus group discussions (FGDs; two male-only and two female-only groups; seven informants in each FGD).