Exploring the norms of eating-out practice among adults in Malaysia


Citation

Lydiatul Shima Ashari and Ainaa Almardhiyah Abd Rashid and Mohd Razif Shahril and Yeong, Yeh Lee and Yee, Cheng Kueh and Bibi Nabihah Abdul Hakim and Nor Hamizah Shafiee and Raja Affendi Raja Ali and Hamid Jan Jan Mohamed (2022) Exploring the norms of eating-out practice among adults in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition (Malaysia), 28 (1). pp. 31-41. ISSN 1394 – 035X

Abstract

Introduction: Eating-out is common in almost all countries, including Malaysia, but this frequent practice may affect human health. In Malaysia, data on eating-out is limited. This study aimed to assess the proportion of eating-out, to assess the association between socio-demographic factors and eating patterns, and to compare energy and nutrient intakes between people eating-out and eating-in. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 30 to 70 years old. Three-day food diaries were used to collect data on dietary intake. Eating-out was defined as eating foods prepared outside the home. Respondents who ate outside for at least one meal per day, for two or three days per week were considered as those who frequently practised eating-out. Results: A total of 84% of respondents who ate out had significantly higher sodium intake than those who ate at home (2934 mg/day vs. 2165 mg/day, p=0.025). Foods and drinks that were most commonly consumed outside were nasi lemak, roti canai, rice, ayam masak kicap, vegetable soup, tomyam, rice vermicelli soup (mee-hoon soup), hot teh-o, iced tea, and orange juice. Occupation (p=0.004) and location type (p=0.001) were associated with eatingout. Government and semi-government workers (61%) and urban population (57%) had higher percentage of eating-out compared to eating at home (19% and 12%, respectively). Conclusion: More than two-thirds of our respondents ate out and this habit was related to poor diet quality with excessive intake of sodium. Interventions are needed to improve the diet quality of the overall eating-out behaviour among targeted population.


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Abstract

Introduction: Eating-out is common in almost all countries, including Malaysia, but this frequent practice may affect human health. In Malaysia, data on eating-out is limited. This study aimed to assess the proportion of eating-out, to assess the association between socio-demographic factors and eating patterns, and to compare energy and nutrient intakes between people eating-out and eating-in. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 30 to 70 years old. Three-day food diaries were used to collect data on dietary intake. Eating-out was defined as eating foods prepared outside the home. Respondents who ate outside for at least one meal per day, for two or three days per week were considered as those who frequently practised eating-out. Results: A total of 84% of respondents who ate out had significantly higher sodium intake than those who ate at home (2934 mg/day vs. 2165 mg/day, p=0.025). Foods and drinks that were most commonly consumed outside were nasi lemak, roti canai, rice, ayam masak kicap, vegetable soup, tomyam, rice vermicelli soup (mee-hoon soup), hot teh-o, iced tea, and orange juice. Occupation (p=0.004) and location type (p=0.001) were associated with eatingout. Government and semi-government workers (61%) and urban population (57%) had higher percentage of eating-out compared to eating at home (19% and 12%, respectively). Conclusion: More than two-thirds of our respondents ate out and this habit was related to poor diet quality with excessive intake of sodium. Interventions are needed to improve the diet quality of the overall eating-out behaviour among targeted population.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: feeding habits
AGROVOC Term: food consumption
AGROVOC Term: food intake
AGROVOC Term: cross-sectional analysis
AGROVOC Term: measure
AGROVOC Term: dietary assessment
AGROVOC Term: behaviour
AGROVOC Term: diet quality
AGROVOC Term: food environment
AGROVOC Term: policy analysis
Geographical Term: Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords: eating pattern, eating-out, factors, nutrients, Malaysia
Depositing User: Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2025 02:57
Last Modified: 28 Feb 2025 02:57
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1941

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