Perspectives of Malaysian parents on eating out: A qualitative analysis
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2019-0137
- Author:
Suhaila Abdul Ghaffar
1
,
2
;
Ruzita Abd. Talib
1
;
Norimah A. Karim
1
Author Information
1. Nutritional Science Programme, Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur&
2. Institute for Public Health, National Institute of Health, Persiaran Setia Murni, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia&
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Eating out, parents, qualitative study, Malaysia
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2020;26(No.3):379-388
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
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.
- Full text:4.2020my0508.pdf
