Today, we celebrate an important academic milestone for Ng Yit Han, who has successfully defended his PhD thesis titled “Development of a Healthy Lifestyle Index and Its Prediction of Risk on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Teachers in Peninsular Malaysia” at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.
A Short Summary of the Thesis
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is an escalating public health concern globally, and Malaysia is no exception. Despite teachers forming one of Malaysia’s largest occupational groups, detailed research on their vulnerability to T2DM has been limited. In response to this gap, Ng Yit Han embarked on an ambitious study to assess the prevalence of T2DM and Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) among teachers and to develop a Healthy Lifestyle Index (HLI) that predicts the risk of T2DM.
His study, structured in two phases, used robust statistical analyses, including weighted logistic regression and Cox-proportional regression models, based on data collected over a remarkable eight-year follow-up. The research revealed that waist circumference and physical activity levels were key lifestyle determinants associated with T2DM and IFG. Impressively, the developed HLI showed strong predictive power, with each unit increase in the score significantly reducing the odds and risk of developing T2DM.
Highlight of Achievements
Ng Yit Han’s doctoral journey reflects a series of remarkable achievements:
- Developed a novel, evidence-based Healthy Lifestyle Index tailored for a specific occupational group.
- Produced a predictive model with high discriminative ability (c-statistic = 0.837) for T2DM risk.
- Conducted an eight-year cohort follow-up—a significant duration for non-communicable disease research.
- Contributed first-of-its-kind insights into the health profile of Malaysian teachers.
- Successfully navigated rigorous statistical methods, underscoring his analytical prowess and research diligence.
Contribution to Public Health
The impact of Ng Yit Han’s work extends beyond academia into the realm of public health policy and preventive medicine. By identifying modifiable lifestyle factors and developing a practical predictive tool, his research offers policymakers and school health programmes a powerful resource to mitigate diabetes risk among teachers. Furthermore, his findings highlight the urgent need for targeted lifestyle interventions in occupational health strategies, fostering healthier workplaces and communities.
Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Ng Yit Han’s supervisors, Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming and Professor Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of his thesis.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Winnie Chee Siew Swee (IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and Professor Dr. Dianna Josephine Magliano (Monash University, Australia) as the external examiners and to Professor Dr. Sanjay Rampal A/L Lekhraj Rampal as the Internal Examiner.
We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr. Tay Sun Tee, the Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate Studies), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; and Dr. Bala Murali Sundram, Coordinator of the Doctor of Public Health programme, Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.
Congratulations and Future Expectations
Congratulations, Dr. Ng Yit Han! Your dedication, perseverance, and intellectual contribution have set a high standard in the field of epidemiology and public health research. As you move forward, we eagerly anticipate your continued leadership in health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based policymaking. The future holds great promise, and we look forward to seeing your work transform research insights into real-world health improvements across Malaysia and beyond.
Keep inspiring, keep leading!
You must be logged in to post a comment.