Differences in the socioeconomic profile may influences healthy food choices, particularly among individuals with low socioeconomic status. Thus, high-energy dense foods become the preferences compared to high nutritional content foods due to their cheaper price. The present study aims to develop healthy and palatable diet at the minimum cost based on Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2010 and Recommended Nutrient Intake 2005 via linear programming. A total of 96 female adults from low socioeconomic families in Johor, South East Malaysia have been recruited for the present study. Anthropometric measurement; weight and height, socio-demographic information and 3-days food record have been collected from the subjects. In addition, data on food prices have also been collected. Then, a linear programming model has been developed to select the cheapest food combinations that could fulfil all the nutritional recommendations and palatable constraints in order to capture common dietary habit of the locals. Subsequently, healthy seven-days menus have been created using the optimal food servings estimated from the linear programming model. Dietary data have shown that the average energy intake among low-income adult women (1871 � 317 kcal/day) is less than the nutrient recommendation. Thus, from the linear programming analysis, the minimum food cost has been estimated at RM6.55 (2.15 USD) for the total energy intake of 2000 kcal per day for a female adult which meets the recommendation of MDG 2010 and RNI 2005. In conclusion, linear programming may be a useful tool to develop healthy and palatable diets at a minimal cost in managing dietary problems among low socioeconomic groups where food expenditure becomes an important restraining factor. Eventually, low socioeconomics female adults would improve their nutritional intake by making wiser food choices to meet all the nutritional requirements, which lead to healthier life.

Background and Objectives: Nutrition and physical activity interventions is beneficial in reversing obesity. However far too little attention has been paid to the effect of these interventions on breast tissues. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the effect of a home-based dietary and physical activity intervention (the Her Shape Program) on metabolic parameters, blood biomarkers and adiposity at the breast. Methods and Study Design: A randomized controlled study was conducted on obese women with high breast adiposity ( < 0.1 Sm-1), aged 40-60 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Subjects were assigned to intervention (n = 16) and control group (n = 15). Intervention group received a home based health education package with close monitoring weekly, personal diet consultation and physical training in group. Assessment was ascertained at three time points; baseline, weeks 8 and 16. Outcome measures were the energy intake, physical activity, body composition, blood tests, blood biomarkers and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) quantitative values. Analyses were done using 2-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results and Conclusions: All subjects completed the program without any drop-out. The HSI group had 100% compliance towards the intervention program; their energy intake was reduced for approximately 35% and their activity score was increased for approximately 11%. A significant interaction effect was found in body weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol/HDL, vitamin C intake and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) (p < 0.05). Interestingly, their EIT extremum values were also significantly increased indicating a reduction of breast adiposity. The intervention program was successful in improving body composition, physical activities, MMP9 and breast adipose tissue composition.

Islam is a religion that emphasizes human health including the human digestive system. The human stool (stool) discussed in this study is a human waste which is one of the way to look at human health. The objectives of this research were to study the physiochemical and characteristics of stool and its usefulness from the perspective of science while the diet used by Rasulullah SAW is been described from the Islam perspective. The research was conducted using descriptive literature review. It was found that the digestive system is a complicated system. The stools is made up of 75% of water and 25% of solid materials and the characteristics of stools such as form, color and odor can affect human health. From the Islam perspectives, color, odor and taste are the fundamental factors need to be emphasized during the process of stool’s cleansing especially before religious rituals begin. In addition, diet, exercise, age and gender are the factors that differentiate the type of human stool. In fact, this study also stated some of the alternatives that are currently used to manage stools in maintaining health and environmental protection. This study then examined the diet of sunnah’s foods called in the Qur’an and the hadith which is proven to be rich in fiber and nutritious especially for the human digestive system. Therefore, the stools from the perspective of science are capable in describing human health and the diet of sunnah’s food is very good for the human digestive system. © 2018 Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.