1.Prevalence of Vegetable Intake and its associated Personal, Socio-environmental, Physical-environmental Factors among Malay Adolescents in Rural Terengganu
Mohd Adzim Khalili Rohin ; Norhayati Abd Hadi ; Farah Adriana Mohd Rosmadi ; Siti Syarma Mohd Shariff ; Norhaslinda Ridzwan
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.4):177-185
Introduction: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of vegetable intake and its associated personal,
socio-environmental and physical-environmental factors among Malay adolescents in rural Terengganu. Methods:
This study was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1st January 2019 to 31st May 2019 at selected secondary
schools in rural Terengganu in Marang and Hulu Terengganu districts. A total of 240 students were recruited by multistage random sampling method in schools and based on inclusion criteria. A validated questionnaire was developed
consisting of four (4) sections; demographic data, personal, socio-environmental and physical-environmental factors
of vegetable intake. Reliability test found the validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire to be acceptable
with a Cronbach Alpha value of 0.762. Results: The respondents consisted of 53% males and 47% females with
mean age of 15.01 (1.00) years old. Majority of the respondents had normal BMI status (48%) follows by underweight
(20%), overweight (16%) and obese (16%). Majority (83%) had inadequate vegetable intake per day. Factors that
were associated with the vegetable intake among adolescents were liking (p=0.01), intention (p=0.01) and habit
(p<0.01) for personal factor. An availability of vegetable at leisure place (p=0.01) was significant for physical-environmental factor. Conclusion: Majority of the adolescents did not meet the recommended intake of vegetable daily.
Therefore, development of intervention programs to promote intake of vegetables among adolescents should consider
their liking, habits, intention and the availability at leisure place compare to others in schools or any organizations.