CLUSTer Study : School Engagement Experience
by Dr. Yoong Lee Yeen, and Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming
The CLUSTer study, which began in 2013, is a cohort study that aims to examine the clustering of lifestyle risk factors and work-related stress among teachers in Malaysia, as well as follow up on important health outcomes. The follow-up of this cohort study has resumed since July 2022 and is ongoing in selected schools across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Terengganu, and Malacca.
We are delighted to engage some selected schools in a health campaign and health screening. On March 15th and 16th, 2023, our CLUSTer study team (Dr. Yoong Lee Yeen, Mr Ng Yit Han, Dr Yap Jun Fai and Dr. Patrick Peng Wee Yao) under supervision of Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming, has engaged with the selected schools, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Subang and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Vivekananda in Petaling Jaya, to raise awareness of teachers’ health and wellbeing, conduct blood pressure screening, and administer the CLUSTer RedCAP online questionnaire screening.
The teachers were actively involved in our health talks, health quizzes, X-break sessions, blood pressure measurements, as well as health screening using CLUSTer RedCAP online questionnaire. The teachers’ knowledge of non-communicable diseases increased from an average score of 55% in the pre-test to 82% in the post-test after the health talks. We also identified some cases of high blood pressure and provided consultation to the teachers. Through the school engagement programs, we were able to better understand the teachers’ working lives and the barriers to healthy living, enabling us to help them incorporate what they learned into their routines.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the schools and teachers who participated in our studies and actively engaged with us. For those schools which were not selected for school engagement, we would urged you to screen your latest health status through our online questionnaire via https://tinyurl.com/clustergen. Get to know more about our CLUSTer study update through our official website at https://spm.um.edu.my/cluster or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CLUSTer.my .
The school engagement experiences created a bridge for interaction between our team and the teachers, providing meaningful insights for both parties. We hope that this school engagement experience can lead to more significant, practical, and relevant health policies that can improve the teachers’ health and wellbeing through our CLUSTer cohort study!
Maintaining Optimal Weight During The Pandemic Is Crucial To Staying Healthy
by Ng Yit Han, and Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming
Obesity is still a global health issue during this Covid-19 pandemic. It is anticipated that the rates of obesity will surge further as the Covid-19 pandemic may restrict the public’s mobility, thus reducing physical activities. Obesity is a condition with excessive accumulation of fat that predisposes individuals to cardiometabolic diseases (E.g., Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease). Although obesity is reversible through dietary monitoring and physical activity, weight management during an ongoing pandemic is challenging. To overcome obesity during the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to factor in common life stressors like stress and anxiety that can negatively impact our eating behaviour.
Shifting Focus From COVID-19 To NCDs
by Dr. Yoong Lee Yeen, and Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming
COVID-19 can kill, and similarly, so can non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Have we done enough to prevent and control NCDs as we have with COVID-19? Unlike COVID-19, NCDs are often long-lasting and progress slowly. Of the many NCDs, cardiovascular disease and stroke are among the main leading causes of death in Malaysia in 2021. Start living healthier, and be a role model for others. Work towards healthy lifestyle choices and discard unhealthy choices, and stay protected from NCDs.
Obesity affects productivity
by Dr. Yap Jun Fai, Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming, and Dr. Lim Yin Cheng
Besides being possibly succumbed to multiple co-existing adverse health conditions, obese individuals are generally less productive than non-obese individuals. This is because obese individuals tend to spend a longer time completing tasks or are less capable to cope with physical job demands. Ultimately, this lowered productivity rate may lead to indirect economic losses.
https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/02/775375/obesity-affects-productivity
Your ‘voice’ matters in obesity
by Dr. Patrick Peng Wee Yao, Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming, and Professor Dr. Victor Hoe Chee Wai Abdullah
Not known to many, obesity affects our voice and obese individuals experience changes in voice features such as hoarseness, murmuring, vocal instability, etc. Social activities or interactions with other people will be affected and restricted if we have voice disorders. We need to do proactive steps to help overcome the challenges of obesity.
https://www.thesundaily.my/opinion/your-voice-matters-in-obesity-IM8916381
Let’s act to reduce obesity, breast cancer risks
by Dr. Soh Yih Harng, and Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming
Obesity is an increasing trend worldwide. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, dyslipidemia, and certain types of cancer including breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women, accounting for 34.6 percent of all cancers. Get regular physical activity, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, have adequate daily sleep, be free of tobacco or alcohol, and maintain an optimistic outlook on life. All this can reduce the risk of obesity and breast cancer.
https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/03/776751/lets-act-reduce-obesity-breast-cancer-risks
Healthier weight, healthier life
by Dr. Yoong Lee Yeen, Professor Dr. Moy Foong Ming, and Professor Dr. Sanjay Rampal
Maintaining a healthy weight helps control blood pressure and reduces the risk of complications from hypertension. Therefore, weight loss could help reduce the risk of developing obesity-related hypertension. Kick start now for a healthier weight, healthier body, and healthier life.
https://www.thesundaily.my/opinion/healthier-weight-healthier-life-NN8924384