Nutritional status and physical activity level among obesity children in Kuala Langat and Sepang

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the nutritional status and physical activity level among 112 obesity children in Kuala Langat and Sepang. The school-aged children was range from 10 to 12 years old. Questionnaire has been used to collect respondent background information. Anthropometry measurement taken were weight, height, and skinfold thickness include triceps, biceps, suprailiac, and subscapula. 24-hour diet record have been used in order to collect the data of nutritional status. This study showed the greatest frequency among obese children was among 12 years old subjects and Malay ethnicity. Most of their parents working in others sector not include professional sectors, service sectors, and self employed. In general, mode for monthly income range was RMI 001 until RM2500, which is 32.1 %. While for the parental education level, most of them were SPM holder. Mean of weight was 62.59 ± 10.36 kg and 61.7 ± 7.62 kg in male and female subjects respectively. Height of subjects was 147.88 ± 6.53 cm and 148.6 ± 5.8 cm respectively. The skinfold thickness was indicated the percentage of body fat more than 35% in every aged of subjects. Both male and female subjects showed that the average percentage of Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) achieved was over 100% except nutrients such as Calcium, Riboflavin, and Niacin for boys, and Protein, Calcium and Niacin for girls. In terms of calories intake or energy intake, both boys and girls were exceeding the RNI cut point where boys consumed about 2183.57±203.87 kcal per day, while girls consumed about 2037 ± 175.6 kcal per day compared with RNI which is 2180 kcal and 1990 kcal respectively. There were no correlation between nutritional status and socioeconomic status which is p>0.05. This study also showed most subjects was physically in light activity (1.45 to 1.5) in both of male and female subjects. Most reason for not consume breakfast was not enough time to eat breakfast (42%). While 29% subjects described that no appetite to take breakfast was one of the factors why they skipped breakfast. The reason of dislike eating in the morning and nobody prepare breakfast for the subjects showed 19% and 8% respectively. Study also showed most of the subjects (67%) consumed fastfood only seldom.