Background The double burden of malnutrition among children is an emerging public health problem, especially in developing countries. Eating behaviours have been hypothesised to contribute to both being underweight and overweight in children and adults. The objective of this study was to examine the association between the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) subscale scores and body mass index (BMI) z-scores among Malaysian children under-5 years. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2020 by recruiting a sample of 500 children aged 24–59 months old from clinics located in the interior districts of Sabah, Malaysia. The CEBQ was completed by the mothers on behalf of the child to assess their eating behaviour traits. The height and weight of the child were measured using standardised instrument. The BMI-for-age percentile, z-scores for BMI-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-age were determined and classified using World Health Organization AnthroPlus software. The relationship between the CEBQ subscale scores and BMI z-scores were evaluated using multiple linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Results The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were 20.2%, 29.2% and 5.6%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of overweight and obese was 5.0%. There were significant positive association between Food responsiveness, Emotional overeating, Enjoyment of food with BMI z-scores (p<0.05; unstandardised regression coefficient: 0.17 to 0.38). In contrast, there were significant negative association between Satiety responsiveness, Slowness of eating, Food fussiness with BMI z-scores (p<0.01; unstandardised regression coefficient: −0.35 to −0.36). Conclusion These findings show that specific eating behaviours can influence the growth of children under-5 years. Therefore, policymakers should formulate a nutrition policy that incorporates behavioural assessment and behavioural intervention in the prevention and management of malnutrition among children in Malaysia.
Every year influenza epidemic causes about 3 – 5 million severe respiratory infections and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide. Among them about 28,000 – 111,500 (11 – 22%) children under 5 years old die because of influenza-related acute lower respiratory tract infections. This review aims to explore the burden, risk factors and seasonality related to influenza virus infection among children under 5 years old in tropical countries. From 1st to 31st December 2020 literature search was done on PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using ‘influenza’ and other keywords such as paediatric, children, neurology complication and breastfeeding for articles published in the English language. About 10% of hospitalization with respiratory infections in children <18 years old are related to influenza. It is reported that about 11% – 26% of febrile illnesses among outpatients and 6 –14% of hospitalized patients with pneumonia were due to influenza virus. Global paediatric mortality estimates that death caused by influenza is highest among 1 – 12 months old children which is about 2.8% of all deaths. In Malaysia, there are no seasonal variations of influenza and the prevalence is higher during the middle of the year. Risk factors include male, age <12 months old and presented with seizure. Breastfeeding and vaccination for pregnant mothers can be beneficial for infants up to 6 months old. Influenza among the paediatric group is a significant health burden even in healthy children and are likely to be underdiagnosed. Vaccination can also be focused on pregnant mothers and children less than 12 years old.
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