High carbonated soft drink consumption is associated with externalizing but not internalizing behaviours among university students in five ASEAN states

The clusters of health-risk behaviours and mental wellbeing and their sociodemographic correlates: a study of 15,366 ASEAN university students

Background

This study investigated, through cluster analysis, the associations between behavioural characteristics, mental wellbeing, demographic characteristics, and health among university students in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) member universities.

Methods

Data were retrieved from a cross-sectional self-administered online survey among undergraduate students in seven ASEAN countries. A two-step cluster analysis was employed, with cluster labels based on the predominant characteristics identified within the clusters. The ‘healthy’ cluster was assigned as the reference group for comparisons using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

The analytic sample size comprised 15,366 university students. Five clusters of student-types were identified: (i) ‘Healthy’ (n = 1957; 12.7%); (ii) ‘High sugary beverage consumption’ (n = 8482; 55.2%); (iii) ‘Poor mental wellbeing’ (n = 2009; 13.1%); (iv) ‘Smoker’ (n = 1364; 8.9%); and (v) ‘Alcohol drinker’ (n = 1554; 10.1%). Being female (OR 1.28, 95%CI 1.14, 1.45) and being physically inactive (OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.04, 1.39) increased the odds of belonging to the ‘High sugary beverage consumption’ cluster. Being female (OR 1.21, 95%CI 1.04, 1.41), non-membership in a sports club (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.43, 2.34) were associated with ‘Poor mental wellbeing’. Obesity (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.47, 2.80), inactively commuting to campus (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.09, 1.66), and living in high-rise accommodation (OR 2.94, 95%CI 1.07, 8.07) were associated with membership in the ‘Smoker’ cluster. Students living in The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam had a higher likelihood of being alcohol drinkers, compared with those who lived in Brunei.

Conclusions

ASEAN university students exhibited health-risk behaviours that typically clustered around a specific health behaviour and mental wellbeing. The results provided support for focusing interventions on one dominant health-risk behaviour, with associated health-risk behaviours within clusters being potential mediators for consideration.

Association of Internet Addiction with Adolescents' Lifestyle: A National School-Based Survey

Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents is an issue of growing concern with adverse effects on adolescents' health and social functioning. This study aims to determine the prevalence of IA among school-going adolescents in Malaysia and its associated factors-specifically, lifestyle factors. A nationwide cross-sectional school-based health survey was conducted in 2017 among 27,497 students from 212 randomly selected secondary schools. Information regarding sociodemography, lifestyle, and internet use was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. IA was measured using the Malay Version of Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT). The prevalence of internet addiction was 29.0%. A multivariable logistic analysis revealed that inadequate fruit and vegetable intakes, consumed carbonated soft drinks at least once a day, consumed fast food at least three days/week, sedentary behavior, current E-cigarette users, and ever/current alcohol drinkers were lifestyle factors significantly associated with IA. Adolescents from urban schools, of higher school grade, and those whose parents are married but living apart were also found to have a greater risk for internet addiction. A positive association was found between IA with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors among adolescents. The modification of lifestyle factors needs to be considered while developing strategies and interventions for awareness-raising and prevention of IA among adolescents.

HMU Fluorinze Mouthwash Enhances Enamel Remineralization: An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND:

Fluoride therapy has long been used extensively to prevent dental caries. Fluoride appears in a variety of dental care products such as mouth rinses, dentifrices, gels, etc. HMU Fluorinze is the first mouthwash containing fluoride in Vietnam.

AIM:

This research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of HMU Fluorinze mouthwash on remineralizing enamel in laboratory conditions.

METHODS:

20 third molar teeth were cleaned and covered with nail polish, except for a 3 x 3 mm square on their buccal surfaces. These teeth underwent two steps: demineralization using Coca-cola and remineralization for 20 daysusing standard calcifying solution (control group) and standard calcifying solution + HMU Fluorinze mouthwash 2 times/day (experimental group). The index measured of enamel structure after demineralization and remineralization was assessed by a DIAGNOdent pen 2190.

RESULTS

The indices measured of the control group and experimental group at baseline were 3.65 ± 0.76 and 3.35 ± 0.64 respectively. After demineralization the control group measured 21.78 ± 4.48 and the experimental group, 20.25 ± 2.26. Following remineralization, the control group scores were 6.30 ± 1.03 and the experimental group, 3.90 ± 1.24, demonstrating statistical significance (p < 0.01) between the two groups. After 20 days, the results for the experimental group did not differ from the original results (p = 0.272), in contrast with the control group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Results show that HMU Fluorinze mouthwash is better at remineralizing than standard calcifying solution.