Page 26 - nhms2012 Perak

PERAK GSHS 2012 Results

3.3 Dietary Behaviours

Introduction

Overweight in adolescence is associated with hyperlipidemia, raised blood pressure (hypertension),
abnormal glucose tolerance, and adverse psychological and social consequences (38).These problems
may persist into adulthood and increase the risks for coronary heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder
disease, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints in later life. Nutritional
de_ciencies as a result of food insecurity (protein-energy malnutrition, iron, Vitamin A, and iodine
de_ciency) a]ect school participation and learning (39). Fruits and vegetables are good sources of
complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other substances which are important for good
health. Dietary patterns that include higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are associated with several
health bene_ts, including a decreased risk for some types of cancer (40)

Findings

Overall, 9.3% (95% CI: 7.44-11.49) of the students were at risk of becoming underweight (Table 3.1).
About 24.1% (95% CI: 20.81-27.75) were at risk of becoming overweight (Table 3.2) while, 11.3% (95%
CI: 9.29-13.72) were at risk of becoming obese (Table 3.3). In the past 30 days, 3.6% (95% CI: 2.69-
4.89) of the students reported being hungry most of the time or always because there was not enough
food in their home (Table 3.4). About 33.9% (95% CI: 30.27-37.70) of the students reported consuming
fruits at least twice daily (Table 3.5.1) while, 27.3% (95% CI: 24.80-29.92) reported consuming
vegetables at least three times daily (Table 3.6.1). A total of 24.4% (95% CI: 21.58-27.38) reported
consuming both fruits and vegetables at least _ve times daily (Table 3.6.2). Generally, 22.7% (95% CI:
19.74-25.97) of students reported consuming soft drinks at least once daily during the past 30 days
(Table 3.7.1). A total of 4.4% (95% CI: 3.40-5.68) reported consuming food from a fast food restaurant
at least three days in the past seven days (Table 3.8.1). About 57.4% (95% CI: 51.71-62.99) reported
consuming plain water at least _ve times daily in the past 30 days (Table 3.9). Only 18.5% (95% CI:
14.64-23.13) reported they had breakfast daily in the last seven days (Table 3.10). About 36.1% (95%
CI: 32.38-40.08) of the students perceived they were slightly or very overweight. Females [43.7% (95%
CI: 39.07-48.48)] were signi_cantly more likely than males [28.4% (95% CI: 22.42-35.25)] to perceive this
(Table 3.11.1). Overall, 38.7% (95% CI: 34.81-42.65) reported trying to lose weight and it was
signi_cantly higher among females [44.6% (95% CI: 39.72-49.57)] than males [32.7% (95% CI: 27.83-
37.94)] (Table 3.12.1). Overall, 73.2% (95% CI: 69.37-76.63) reported attempting to lose, gain or
maintain the same weight (Table 3.12.2).

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