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Along with the increasing overweight and obesity trends among adults and children globally, numerous studies have suggested a strong association between maternal overweight and obesity among their offspring. We sought to report the prevalence and associated factors of intergenerational overweight and obesity among mother–child pairs in Malaysia from 2006 to 2015. Data were analysed from three waves of the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey, a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2006, 2011 and 2015. A mother and the youngest child from each household formed 'mother–child pairs' and were grouped according to their body mass index categories. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to determine the factors associated with overweight mother/overweight child pairs (OWM/OWC), with normal weight mother/normal weight child pairs (NWM/NWC) as the reference group. The prevalence of OWM/OWC increased from 15.3% to 21.7%, while the prevalence of NWM/NWC decreased from 28.4% to 23.8% between 2006 and 2015. Older maternal age and having primary and secondary education levels were positively associated with OWM/OWC. Conversely, older child age, Chinese ethnicity, large household size and low-income households were inversely associated with OWM/OWC. In conclusion, intergenerational weight gain is a worrisome trend in Malaysia. These findings may help in guiding priority setting for obesity prevention strategies in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is a debilitating disease, adding to morbidity and mortality. Home-based rehabilitation has an influence on functional recovery among stroke survivors. This study aimed to determine factors influencing the improvement in activities of daily living (ADL) among stroke survivors after domiciliary care service. A state-wide record-review study using Domiciliary Care Record from health clinics with comprehensive domiciliary care was conducted. A logistic regression (LR) model was performed to assess factors influencing ADL improvement. Improved ADL was defined as obtaining at least 30% improvement on the Modified Barthel Index at the end of the program. From the records review, 72.2% of the participants had improved ADL following domiciliary care service. The mean age of the sample was 68.21 years (SD = 11.99). The majority were ischemic stroke survivors (81.2%). In the single LR model, the influencing factors of ADL improvement were younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76; p =.004), married (OR = 2.04; p =.018), ischemic stroke type (OR = 6.35; p <.001), less severe stroke (OR = 4.18; p <.001), no previous stroke (OR = 4.24; p <.001), and 9 to 12 home visits (OR = 2.79; p <.006). The multiple LR model showed ischemic stroke type (adjusted odds ratio [Adj. OR] = 5.30; p <.001), less severe stroke (Modified Rankin Scale score = 4; Adj. OR = 3.70; p <.001), and no previous stroke (Adj. OR = 3.51; p =.001) as significant factors when adjusted for other variables. Recognition of these factors associated with the improvement in stroke recovery is beneficial to intensify an optimal stroke care and home-based rehabilitation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child malnutrition problems still occur in Malaysia, particularly stunting. This study aimed to determine the proportion of stunting among children below 5 years old and investigate the factors associated with stunting on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: This study utilised data from the 2016 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with malnutrition among non-stunted and stunted children. Results: The proportion of stunting among children below 5 years old in this East Coast region was 26.2%. When divided by state, Kelantan had the highest proportion of stunting, followed by Pahang and Terengganu, at 28.8%, 26.2% and 23.4%, respectively. In this study, the factors associated with stunting were children aged 24 months old--59 months old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.26, 1.83; P < 0.001), male children (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.76; P < 0.001), Orang Asli children (aOR: 2.84; 95% CI: 1.86, 4.32; P < 0.001), children with low birth weight from 1,500 g to 2,499 g (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.55; P < 0.001) and children from households that practice unsanitary waste disposal (aOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.74; P = 0.001). Conclusion: Stunting among children under the age of 5 years old on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia remains a public health problem. To reduce the prevalence of stunting in this region, intervention programmes should be intensified. Emphasis should be placed on public health programmes that target the associated factors, such as dietary habits, Orang Asli children, low birth weight and unsanitary waste disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]