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science cafe

SCIENCE CAFÉ

A FOCUS ON CHILD AND ADOLESCENT

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR NORAN NAQIAH MOHD HAIRI DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
DR AZLINA AHMAD ANNUAR DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

The Science Café held on April 23, 2018 studied. Associate Professor Dr Muhammad
showcased the research activities under Yazid also shared his clinical research findings
the Public Health and Non-communicable from the MyBFF@school project (My Body is
Diseases Research Thrust, with a focus on Fit and Fabulous@school project), which is an
programmes relating to “Child, Adolescent, intervention study to combat obesity among
and Young Adult Health”. Associate Professor school children.
Dr Noran Naqiah bt Mohd Hairi, head of
the research thrust, explained that the aim Associate Professor Dr Moy Foong Ming
of the programmes is to determine the (Department of Social & Preventive Medicine)
social and environmental determinants of subsequently shared with us the project on the
health issues of children, adolescents and assessment of sustainable diet among young
young adults in Malaysia and to help these adults. Through activities such as sharing
younger Malaysians to improve and sustain a of meals photos, the team was able to get a
healthy lifestyle. glimpse into the diets of Malaysian youth.
Data from this study will help formulate dietary
Associate Professor Dr Hazreen Abdul recommendations for the younger Malaysian
Majid (Department of Social and Preventive public to address the broader environmental
Medicine) and Associate Professor Dr and social issues of sustainability.
Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin (Department of
Paediatrics) who are heading the Malaysian The Malaysian Care for Adolescent Project
Health and Adolescents Longitudinal (MyCAP) was presented by Dr Rafdzah Ahmad
Research Team (MyHeART) described the Zaki and Dr Nik Daliana Nik Farid from the
prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors Department of Social & Preventive Medicine.
among adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia. One of the main objectives of the project is
to deliver effective sexual and reproductive
The MyHeART group is interested in health education to adolescents especially the
determining how lifestyles during early poor, marginalized youth. An Internet-based
adolescence can have an effect on programme for information dissemination
cardiovascular, lung, and bone health in early has been developed to improve sexual and
adulthood. Furthermore, the psychological reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among
and social factors that influence ‘high risk’ Malaysian adolescents. The online approach
behaviours during young adulthood are also will be complemented with conventional face-

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