The dietary intakes had profoundly affected by seasonality of food availability and accessibility, influencing diet quality. This study aimed to determine the effects of seasonal variation on diet quality of urban poor adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A prospective cohort study was conducted among 164 adolescents aged 10-17 from 12 People Housing Programme in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Data were collected during Northeast (NE) monsoon (November 2021) and Southwest (SW) monsoon (June 2022). Food security was measured using the 18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Adolescent’s dietary intake was determined using two-day 24-hour dietary recall, and diet quality was determined using Standardized Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (S-MHEI). Generalized linear models were used to assess the seasonal effects on S-MHEI and food security. Significant higher poor diet quality was observed during NE (66.5%) versus SW monsoon (53.7%) (Wald X2=5.57, p=0.018)(p<0.05). Seasonal variation was observed where fish (Wald X2=15.46, p<0.001), meat/poultry/eggs (Wald X2=6.57, p=0.010), milk/milk products (Wald X2=5.00, p=0.025) were consumed significantly more during SW monsoon while legumes/nuts (Wald X2=27.10, p<0.001) were consumed significantly more during NE monsoon (p0.05). No seasonality was observed on in food security status. Although food security does not vary with seasons, certain food groups' seasonality and overall diet quality were observed among the urban poor adolescents. Seasonally sensitive nutrition initiative should be developed to ensure the diet adherence to recommendations, ultimately enhancing the diet quality of urban poor adolescents.

Authors:
Satvinder Kaur, UCSI University, Malaysia
Janice Ee Fang Tay, UCSI University, Malaysia
Serene En Hui Tung, International Medical University, Malaysia
Wan Ying Gan, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Nik Norasma Che’Ya, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Choon Hui Tan, UCSI University, Malaysia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Satvinder Kaur is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at UCSI University in Malaysia

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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