Perspectives of Malaysian parents on eating out: a qualitative analysis

Suhaila Abdul Ghaffar, . and Ruzita Abd. Talib, . and Norimah A. Karim, . Perspectives of Malaysian parents on eating out: a qualitative analysis. pp. 379-388. ISSN 1394–035X

Introduction: The culture of eating out among Malaysians has substantially increased in recent years due to the urbanisation of the society. Frequent eating out has been linked with reduced quality of diet reduced intake of micronutrients and increased weight gain. This study aims to explore specific factors on the perceptions and behaviours related to eating out from the perspective of parents. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out among 27 informants from various ethnicities and locations in Peninsular Malaysia. All sessions were audio-recorded fully transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: The main overarching theme that surfaced from this study was the role of parents in shaping the practice of eating out. Time constraints due to parents work commitments the availability of various food outlets increase in family bonding time and food preferences were recurring themes revealed by informants as facilitating factors to eating out. Other emerging themes such as hygiene of food premises and cost of food posed as barriers to eating out. Conclusion: These findings offered a better understanding on the eating out practices of a family from the parents perspective. Information as such could be incorporated in strategies to enhance the promotion of healthy eating and nutrition interventions that aim to inculcate healthy food choices while eating out.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.nutriweb.org.my/mjn/publication/26-3/V...

Abstract

Introduction: The culture of eating out among Malaysians has substantially increased in recent years due to the urbanisation of the society. Frequent eating out has been linked with reduced quality of diet reduced intake of micronutrients and increased weight gain. This study aims to explore specific factors on the perceptions and behaviours related to eating out from the perspective of parents. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out among 27 informants from various ethnicities and locations in Peninsular Malaysia. All sessions were audio-recorded fully transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: The main overarching theme that surfaced from this study was the role of parents in shaping the practice of eating out. Time constraints due to parents work commitments the availability of various food outlets increase in family bonding time and food preferences were recurring themes revealed by informants as facilitating factors to eating out. Other emerging themes such as hygiene of food premises and cost of food posed as barriers to eating out. Conclusion: These findings offered a better understanding on the eating out practices of a family from the parents perspective. Information as such could be incorporated in strategies to enhance the promotion of healthy eating and nutrition interventions that aim to inculcate healthy food choices while eating out.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Eating
AGROVOC Term:	Restaurants
AGROVOC Term:	Surveys
AGROVOC Term:	Parents
AGROVOC Term:	Food preferences
AGROVOC Term:	Food consumption
AGROVOC Term:	Nutritional value
AGROVOC Term:	Food choice
AGROVOC Term:	Food hygiene
AGROVOC Term:	Costs
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9776

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