Predictors of Diet Quality as Measured by Malaysian Healthy Eating Index among Aboriginal Women (Mah Meri) in Malaysia

Abstract

Socioeconomic status and nutrition knowledge are the determining factors of food choices. However, their relationship with diet quality is ambiguous among aboriginal women in Malaysia. Henceforth, the objective of this study was to examine diet quality and its predictors among the aboriginal women from the Mah Meri ethnic group in Malaysia. Data on socioeconomic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and 24-h dietary recalls were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the respondents. Household food insecurity was assessed using Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Instrument. The Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used to measure the diet quality of this population. The overall diet quality of the respondents was poor, with a mean Malaysian HEI score of 45.3%. Household income (r = 0.242, p < 0.001) and nutrition knowledge (r = 0.150, p < 0.05) were positively correlated with diet quality. More importantly, the predictors of diet quality were marital status (β = 0.181, p < 0.01), household income (β = 0.237, p < 0.001), food security status (β = −0.151, p < 0.01), and fat intake (β = −0.438, p < 0.001). Women being married and those with higher household income was associated with a better diet quality among Malaysian aborigines.

Healthy Eating Determinants: A Study among Malaysian Young Adults

“…Modern society is confronting increased health issues as the population's eating habits and the lack of healthy food consciousness had caused obesity and poor nutrition and eating conditions among young adults [1]. About 2.8 million people die worldwide because due to being overweight or having melancholic obesity each year [2].…”

“…Since 2000, Malaysians are facing issues of obesity and eating disorders [3]. Diet-related diseases are on the rise in Malaysia, and this is increasing the socioeconomic burdens on middle-income households [1]. Scientific evidence shows that unhealthy and unbalanced food increases the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes [4].…”

“…Thirty-nine percent of the world population is overweight, and about 13% of the population is obese [3]. Malaysians are the most obese citizens in Southeast Asia, in which 48% of the population is experiencing obesity [1]. Lifestyle changes and modern lifestyles make life more comfortable, and food security improves the dietary intake among the middle class and upper class of the developed and developing nations [3,6].…”

“…For instance, low-energy food is more affordable compared to food with high energy content and is a determining factor, similar to price, toward the adoption of healthy food. While the Malaysian government supports and promotes a healthy lifestyle [1], the adoption of healthy eating habits remains at an initial stage of adoption amongst Malaysians. In contrast, consumer awareness and government support regarding food prices can help to improve the acceptance of healthy food consumption amongst Malaysian young adults.…”

Predictors of Overweight and Obesity and Its Consequences among Senoi Orang Asli (Indigenous People) Women in Perak, Malaysia

“…A high risk of double-burden malnutrition among other tribes Che Wong and Temuan was due to close the distance of their resettlements to town, which has increased their access to processed food. Furthermore, Chong et al [37] reported that food security was another leading factor for the occurrence of overweight and obesity among Mah Meri OA at Carey Island and Tanjung Sepat, Malaysia. Moreover, Nurul Hidayah et al [38] reported that dietary acculturation was significantly linked with increased body mass index (BMI) among OA adults in Malaysia.…”