Characteristics of dietary intakes including NOVA foods among pre-adolescents living in urban Kuala Lumpur – Findings from the PREBONE-Kids study
Authors:   Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia, Yang Wai Yew , Wong Soon Yee ,   Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia, Ong Shu Hwa ,   Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia, Arasu Kanimolli ,   Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia, Chang Chung Yuan ,   Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia, Chong Megan Hueh Zan ,   Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia, Mavinkurve Meenal ,   Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Seremban 70300, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Khoo Erwin Jiayuan ,   Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Seremban 70300, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Chinna Karuthan ,   Faculty of Business and Management, UCSI University, 56100 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Weaver Connie M. ,   Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA, Chee Winnie Siew Swee ,   1Division of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Evidence showed considerable variability of health risk factors within different socioeconomic groups. This study aimed to characterise dietary intakes by total household income among a sample of Malaysian pre-adolescents in urban Kuala Lumpur. Methods: Baseline data of 243 healthy, pre-adolescent children between 9 and 11 years old including socio-demographic background (gender, ethnicity, and total household monthly income), anthropometry (body weight and height), and 7-day diet histories were collected. Secondary analysis was performed on dietary intakes to quantify food groups based on the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines and NOVA classification systems besides nutrients. Differences and associations between total monthly household income categories with anthropometry and dietary intakes were tested using independent t-test/Mann-Whitney U (depending on normality) and chi-square tests, respectively. Results: Most children in this study population had dietary intakes below the recommended serving sizes for five food groups, except meat/poultry (195.2±107.2%) and fish (110.1±106.3%) and consumed about 32% of energy from ultra-processed foods (NOVA food group 4). While there was no difference in dietary intake between the bottom 40% with the middle 40% and high 20% household income groups, the percentage of energy contributed by NOVA food group 4 (processed fats/oils, condiments, and sauces) was higher in the bottom 40% households (p=0.024). Conclusion: Most pre-adolescent children in this study, regardless of household income, did not meet dietary recommendations and ate diets comprised of less nutritious foods. Comprehensive approaches that aim to improve dietary patterns and reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases are warranted.