1.Exploring the norms of eating-out practice among adults in Malaysia
Lydiatul Shima Ashari ; Ainaa Almardhiyah Abd Rashid ; Mohd Razif Shahril ; Yeong Yeh Lee ; Yee Cheng Kueh ; Bibi Nabihah Abdul Hakim ; Nor Hamizah Shafiee ; Raja Affendi Raja Ali ; Hamid Jan Jan Mohamed
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2022;28(No.1):31-41
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.