Association between Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Dietary Fiber Intake and Body Mass Index among Undergraduate Students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Authors

Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin, Center for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Munirah Ismail, Center for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Mohd Sham Othman, Center for Toxicology & Health Risk Studies & Programme of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Divya Vanoh, Programme of Dietetic, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan16150, MalaysiaFollow
Chai Huoy Tyng, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Irdina Ibrahim, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Jasmine Lavang Surang, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Muhammad Adam Jayiddin, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Noor Afiifah Ibrahim, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Nur Arina Shazrina Abdullah, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Nur Athirah Harun, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Nur Fatihah Rashidi, Programme of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow
Lew Leong Chen, Center for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, MalaysiaFollow

ORCID ID

Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin: 0000-0003-1517-2115

Munirah Ismail: 0000-0001-7821-981X

Mohd Sham Othman: 0000-0002-5078-2835

Divya Vanoh: 0000-0003-0754-7933

Chai Huoy Tyng: 0000-0002-3977-691X

Irdina Ibrahim: 0000-0002-6174-3057

Jasmine Lavang Surang: 0000-0001-7501-208X

Muhammad Adam Jayiddin: -

Noor Afiifah Ibrahim: 0000-0003-2635-0386

Nur Arina Shazrina Abdullah: 0000-0002-7345-9862

Nur Athirah Harun: 0000-0002-4289-380X

Nur Fatihah Rashidi: 0000-0003-1407-883X

Lew Leong Chen: 0000-0002-4099-3292

Abstract

Background: A fiber-rich diet lowers the risk of various diseases by increasing fecal bulk, shortening intestinal transit time, and stimulating intestinal flora. This study examines the association between knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding dietary fiber intake and body mass index (BMI) among Dentistry and Software Engineering undergraduates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 95 Dentistry and 92 Software Engineering students at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The KAP questionnaire was analyzed for its reliability using Cronbach’s alpha and distributed through email.

Results: Most respondents had normal weight. The Software Engineering students had a higher percentage of overweight and obese individuals than the Dentistry students. KAP measurements for both groups were moderate across all variables. No differences were found in attitude and practice levels between both groups. However, the Software Engineering students had higher knowledge of dietary fiber intake. KAP did not influence BMI in both groups. Factor analysis showed a high association between KAP on dietary fiber intake and BMI status among Software Engineering students compared to dentistry students.

Conclusions: The level of KAP on dietary fiber intake is associated with BMI status among undergraduate students.

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Recommended Citation

Mat Ludin A, Ismail M, Othman M, Vanoh D, Huoy Tyng C, Ibrahim I, et al. Association between Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Dietary Fiber Intake and Body Mass Index among Undergraduate Students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Makara J Health Res. 2024;28.

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