Underlying causes of most nutrition related problems are diverse, including biological, social, cultural, and economic factors. Qualitative approaches complement quantitative methods in identifying the underlying meanings and patterns of relationships involved in managing malnutrition. This study examined perceptions regarding malnutrition among health workers from 7 clinics (community and health clinics) in Tumpat, Kelantan. A total of 18 nurses and 2 doctors, who were involved in monitoring child health and nutrition, were included in the study. These health workers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from Sastry's framework on malnutrition . The questionnaire included biological, behavioral and environmental factors that influence child health and nutrition. All the health workers perceived that mothers/caregivers play the main role in improving the health of malnourished children. The quality of childcare was rated as moderately satisfactory by the health workers. Most of the affected families who were given the Food Baskets did not fully use all the items for the malnourished child. Child feeding practice was based on the needs of the whole family rather than according to the target child's needs. Most of the mothers preferred processed cereals than rice porridge because the former is easier to prepare for the child. Although they were from a low socioeconomic background, most of the mothers were not earning additional income for the family. The qualitative methodology provided information that can be used as a basis for the designing of quantitative questionnaires to assess malnutrition among children. The induction characteristic of qualitative methods was used to gain an understanding of the underlying reasons or phenomena such as behaviours that are directly observable.

Background: The increasing number of obesity and overweight cases in developing countries, especially among
women, requires serious attention because of its effects on the health care system and the quality of life. Few
studies have been conducted in the Gaza Strip to determine obesity and overweight prevalence and the associated
factors. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of obesity and overweight cases in relation to socio-demographic
factors among mothers aged 18–50 years in the Gaza Strip-Palestine from June 2012 to September 2012.
Mothers childbearing age 18–50 years (n = 357) were selected using a cross-sectional multistage sampling methodology
from three different geographical locations, namely, El Remal urban area, Jabalia refugee camp, and Al Qarrara rural
area.
The weight and height of the mothers were measured, and their body mass indexes (BMI) were computed. The
mothers were categorized according to the criteria of World Health Organization (WHO) for BMI. The criteria categorize
mothers as overweight if they have a BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2 and obese if their BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2.
Results: Obesity and overweight rates in urban area, refugee camp, and rural area were found to be 57.0%, 66.8%,
and 67.5%, respectively. Moreover, BMI increased with age, adjusted b = 0.39; 95% CI (0.31, 0.48); p = < 0.001, whereas
BMI was lower in low-income subjects, adjusted b = −1.59, 95% CI (−2.74,-0.44), p = 0.007. Housewives were more
susceptible to obesity than employed woman, adjusted b = −2.76, 95% CI (−5.33,-0.19), p = 0.036. However, the study
found no association among BMI level and household size, geographical location, educational level, and family
assistance.
Conclusions: The results showed that obesity and being overweight are highly prevalent among women in the Gaza
Strip. Independent predictors of obesity in the population studied were increasing age, high income, and housewives.
This finding is an important baseline for the monitoring of obesity and overweight cases in the future and highlights
the need for community-based programs to combat this problem in Palestine.
Keywords: Overweight, Obesity, Prevalence, Socio-demographic factors

Background: The increasing number of obesity and overweight cases in developing countries, especially among women, requires serious attention because of its effects on the health care system and the quality of life. Few studies have been conducted in the Gaza Strip to determine obesity and overweight prevalence and the associated factors. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of obesity and overweight cases in relation to socio-demographic factors among mothers aged 18-50 years in the Gaza Strip-Palestine from June 2012 to September 2012. Mothers childbearing age 18-50 years (n = 357) were selected using a cross-sectional multistage sampling methodology from three different geographical locations, namely, El Remal urban area, Jabalia refugee camp, and Al Qarrara rural area. The weight and height of the mothers were measured, and their body mass indexes (BMI) were computed. The mothers were categorized according to the criteria of World Health Organization (WHO) for BMI. The criteria categorize mothers as overweight if they have a BMI 25-29.9 kg/m 2 and obese if their BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m 2 .

Abstract
Background
Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide, with adverse consequences on child
growth, development, and survival. This deficiency has affected approximately a quarter of
the world population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and the
associated factors among preschool children in the Gaza Strip.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and September 2012. A total of 357
preschool children were selected using multistage sampling method from Jabalya refugee
camp, El Remal urban area, and Al Qarara rural area. Hemoglobin level was measured, and
anemia diagnosis was confirmed at a level <11.0 g/dL. In this study, we utilized a pretested
questionnaire for face to face interview with mothers. Anthropometric indicators for children
were measured using the WHO guideline. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were
conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of anemia.
Results
The overall prevalence of anemia was 59.7% among preschool children in the Gaza Strip,
46.5% and 13.5% of which are mild and moderate, respectively. The mean hemoglobin level
was 10.83 ± 0.86 g/dl. Children living in Jabalya refugee camp have a high risk of anemia
[adjusted b= −0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI;-0.72,-0.39); p < 0.001]. Boys were more
susceptible to this deficiency than girls [adjusted b = 0.17; 95% CI (0.0.01, 0.33); p = 0.031].
Hemoglobin level increased with age [adjusted b = 0.02; 95% CI (0.01, 0.03); p < 0.001].
Hemoglobin level decreased in children living in poor households [adjusted b = −0.24;
95%CI (−0.41,-0.06); p = 0.006]. Underweight children were more susceptible to anemia
than normal weight children [adjusted b = − 0.22; 95% CI (−0.41, −0.03); p = 0.025].
Conclusions
The prevalence of anemia among preschool children in the Gaza Strip was higher than those
reported in previous local studies, indicating that anemia is a major public health problem. In
this study, we also observed mild and moderate cases among children, whereas severe anemia
was not observed. Independent predictors of anemia were geographic location, sex, age,
monthly income, and malnutrition. Results provided the baseline information on anemia,
therefore, especial attention should be given on intervention of anemia.

The purposes of this study were to determine the weight status, body image perception and physical activity among female college students in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference were the taken anthropometric measurements. To assess the body image dissatisfaction and physical activity patterns of college female students, figure rating scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used, respectively. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). A sample of 215 female college students aged between 18-25 years old completed the questionnaires. The prevalence of obesity and overweight recorded 6.0% and 15.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, 63.3% of the university female students were categorized as having normal weight. Furthermore, 12.6% of the female college students were found to be at risk of abdominal obesity. There was a significant correlation between body image dissatisfaction with BMI (r=0.582, p<0.01). Regarding physical activity, the result indicated that 53.0% of the female college students were categorized under low physical activity level. However, no significant correlation was found between BMI and physical activity. Altering body image perception and required moderate-intensity physical activity should be promoted within weight loss program among college female students.

Many studies had shown that poor growth in children is associated with malnutrition. The underlying factors are diverse, multisectoral and interrelated, ranging from biological to social, cultural and economically related. Because the highest levels of under-nutrition worldwide are found in South Asia, it is essential that policymakers in the region understand the underlying determinants, in order to design effective public health intervention programs. This is especially so if public resources are limited. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine causal relationships among the biological, behavioural and environmental factors related to malnutrition in children aged 5 years and under. The instrument used in this study was based on a previously described conceptual framework for malnutrition in children, and tested for its psycometric component, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. As well as the use of a questionnaire, anthropometric and dietary data wer...

This paper describes the nutritional status of pre-school children and analyzes its relationship to various household socio-economic indicators. Padi, rubber and fishing villages from the Functional Groups Study (1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996) were selected for having a high prevalence of child undernutrition, and all children between the ages of 12 and 72 months were measured for their weights and heights in April-May 1998. The NCHS reference values were used to calculate zscores, which were categorised according to WHO (1983) recommendations. Children between minus 2SD and minus 1SD of reference median were classified as mildly malnourished. Prevalence of underweight was higher (30.5%) than stunting (22.3%), while wasting was only 9.7%. Padi villages had the highest prevalence of undernutrition, followed by fishing, and then rubber villages. Mean household incomes were found to be significantly lower for children with worse nutritional status, and undernutrition was higher in households below the poverty line income. The odds ratios for having stunted children were significantly higher for households whose heads were agricultural own-account workers (OR 3.66, 95% CI = 1.37-9.79), agricultural waged workers (OR 2.75, 95% CI = 1.06-7.10), and non-agricultural manual workers (OR 2.49, 95% CI = 1.04-6.00) compared to non-manual workers. Various household socio-economic indicators showed significantly higher odds ratios for underweight, stunting and wasting. After adjusting for confounding effects by logistic regression analysis, however, only mother's education was found to be a significant predictor for stunting, while poverty level and access to piped water supply were significant predictors for both underweight and stunting. Households without livestock were significant predictors for wasting. Thus, this study identified specific socio-economic factors that should be prioritized for policy and research towards the amelioration of childhood malnutrition in rural areas.

This paper traces the birth of the Kyoto University Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) approach to Area Studies, explores how the institution evolved to consolidate and institutionalize its activities, and introduces its methodological responses and research initiatives that have evolved over the past 50 years. Since before the founding of CSEAS in 1963, Kyoto University researchers had been involved in multidisciplinary, field-based investigations of Southeast Asian society and nature. The origins of CSEAS’s philosophy and commitment to the region lie in the individual researchers at Kyoto University, their empirically-based studies, and shared interests in ever more integrated and multifaceted understandings of local society. The paper traces and offers an overview of the large-scale projects that framed and guided research to present fundamental approaches towards issues in the region. This is through a commitment to long-term field-based studies in and of local societies; empirical studies grounded in local languages; and multidisciplinary, team-based research that has bridged the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. This paper also shows how these approaches arose in response to changes and processes transforming social and environmental systems of Southeast Asians societies. This has informed the development of conceptual and theoretical work that has developed as a response to empirically grounded understandings emerging from those societies.

https://japan-asean.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/tdwp/