ASSESSMENT OF RURAL AREA FOOD CONSUMPTION STATUS IN THE NATIONAL NUTRITION POLICY OF MALAYSIA

Abstract

Food consumption is one of the most important components in ensuring household food security. However, there are practices and beliefs that some foods are detrimental to health among low-income people, which affects food consumption in the household.  This situation is directly related to nutrition policy. This study aims to investigate the food consumption households in the rural areas of Kedah State, to fulfill the national nutrition policy of Malaysia. The study centers on rural Kedah State, specifically the municipalities of Kubang Pasu, Baling, Pendang, Alor Setar, and Kuala Muda. The technique of stratified random sampling was used to choose 225 rice growers from the rural regions of the chosen districts. SPSS 25 and food intake results scores were used to analyze the information. The results of the reading revealed that food consumption among farmers was low with a value of less than 29.9. Almost the total food intake for each food category is low except for beverages that have a high value of above 80. The study also found that this group believes that some foods have an impact on health. The study suggests that the government should sensitize the rural population in particular to eat balanced foods. At the same time, the restructuring of the primary school curriculum and syllabus needs to be holistic so that awareness of nourishment and fitness can be raised in early childhood education.