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In an effort to enhance public awareness, we develop Dikir Farmasi as an innovative approach to deliver health information. Dikir Farmasi combines the elements of dikir barat (a type of traditional folk song rhythm) and traditional sketches which are popular in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. These sketches and dikir barat rhythmic songs, with lyrics touch on issues such as drug abuse and regulation are presented in an entertaining and humorous way. Health promotion messages are disseminated using Dikir Farmasi in the form of compact disks, video compact disks, stage performance, exhibition, social media, printed media (signboard, brochure and flyer). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Leptin ( LEP) G-2548 A (rs7799039), leptin receptor ( LEPR) Q223 R (rs1137101) and tumor necrosis factor ( TNF)-α G-308 A (rs1800629) gene variants have been reported to be associated with obesity, although results for subjects from different countries have been controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Malaysian adolescents and the association of these polymorphisms with overweight and obese or over-fat adolescents. Methods A total of 613 adolescents (241 Malay, 219 Chinese, 153 Indian) were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements of body mass index ( BMI) and body fat percentage were used to classify subjects as controls (non-overweight/obese or normal fat) or as cases (overweight/obese or over-fat). Genomic DNA was extracted from oral buccal mucosa cells for genotyping using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and data obtained were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 23.3% of subjects were overweight/obese whereas 11.4% were over-fat; there were significantly more overweight/obese and over-fat Indian and Malay adolescents compared to Chinese ( P < 0.001). A allele was the minor one for LEPR Q223 R and TNF-α G-308 A in all ethnic groups, whereas G allele was minor for LEP G-2548 A in Chinese and Malay adolescents, except for Indian adolescents. Indian male adolescents with AA genotype for LEP G-2548 A were associated with overweight/obesity ( P = 0.025; odds ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-11.54). Despite the lack of association observed for LEPR Q223 R and TNF-α G-308 A, Indian and Chinese subjects with AA risk genotype for LEPR Q223 R/ LEP G-2548 A and TNF-α G-308 A/ LEP G-2548 A, respectively, had increased mean BMI ( P = 0.049, P = 0.016). Conclusions Genotype distribution and association of these polymorphisms with overweight/obesity vary between ethnic groups and genders. Nevertheless, the LEP G-2548 A risk allele may be associated with overweight/obese Indian male adolescents in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]