It is with great pride and warm congratulations that we celebrate Dr. Hanan Hasan Hussein Al-Haroni for successfully defending her PhD thesis titled “The Effectiveness of Health Educational Intervention on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Among Middle Eastern Pre-Adolescents in Malaysia: A Randomised Control Trial.” Her achievement marks the culmination of a rigorous academic journey and a significant contribution to public health and adolescent well-being.

Dr. Hanan’s research tackled a pressing global issue—adolescent obesity—through a focused lens on the Middle Eastern youth living in Malaysia. In a randomised controlled trial involving 250 adolescents across Arabic schools, she implemented a six-week “Healthy Lifestyle” educational intervention rooted in the Health Belief Model.

The findings were compelling: students in the intervention group showed substantial improvements in their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to physical activity and nutrition. Their health beliefs and frequency of healthy food consumption also increased significantly. While anthropometric changes like BMI for age and waist circumference showed no significant short-term differences, behavioural shifts indicated long-term promise.

This research is pioneering, as it represents the first intervention of its kind targeting Middle Eastern adolescents in Malaysia—a population often under-represented in health studies.

Achievements and Impact

Throughout her doctoral journey, Dr Hanan has demonstrated academic excellence, dedication, and a commitment to community health. Her study fills a crucial research gap and lays a foundation for integrating health education into school curricula. Her publication in PLOS ONE further amplifies the impact of her work on an international platform:

Al-Haroni, H., Nik Farid, N. D., & Azanan, M. S. (2024). Effectiveness of education intervention, with regards to physical activity level and a healthy diet, among Middle Eastern adolescents in Malaysia: A study protocol for a randomized control trial, based on a health belief model. PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0289937. Read it here

Contribution to Public Health

By focusing on early adolescence—a critical stage for shaping lifelong habits—Dr. Hanan’s work contributes to preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through education and empowerment. Her adaptive and adaptable intervention model offers a template for similar health promotion efforts in multicultural school settings.

This research underscores the power of culturally sensitive, theory-based interventions in transforming community health. It calls on educators, health professionals, and policymakers to invest in proactive, school-based solutions for a healthier next generation.

Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Dr. Hanan’s supervisors, Assoc. Prof. Dr Nik Daliana Nik Farid and Dr Mohamad Shafiqq Azanan, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of her thesis.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the external examiners: Professor Dr Mostafa Wally (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman) and Professor Dr Betty Ya-Wen Chiu (Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan), and to the internal examiner, Dr Lim Yin Cheng (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya).

We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr. Chong Mei Chan, Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate) of the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; and Professor Dr. Victor Hoe, Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine.

Looking Ahead

Dr Hanan’s success is a testament to her perseverance, vision, and scholarly excellence. We look forward to seeing her continue championing youth health, influencing policy, and inspiring future scholars in preventive medicine and public health.

Once again, heartfelt congratulations, Dr Hanan. Your journey is an inspiration, and your work will continue to make a difference in the lives of many. The future is bright, and we’re excited to see where your passion leads next!