title: Are Malaysian Children Achieving Dietary Guideline Recommendations?
abstract: A large body of epidemiological data has demonstrated that diet quality follows a sociodemographic gradient. Little is known, however, about food group intake patterns among Malaysian children. This study aimed to assess consumption pattern of 7 food groups, including cereals/grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat/poultry, and milk/dairy products, among children 7 to 12 years of age. A total of 1773 children who participated in SEANUTS Malaysia and who completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire were included in this study. A greater proportion of children aged 10 to 12 years have an inadequate intake of cereals/grains, meat/poultry, legumes, and milk/dairy products compared with children 7 to 9 years old. With the exception of meat/poultry, food consumption of Malaysian children did not meet Malaysian Dietary Guidelines recommendations for the other 6 food groups, irrespective of sociodemographic backgrounds. Efforts are needed to promote healthy and balanced dietary habits, particularly for foods that fall short of recommended intake level.
authors.affiliation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hui Chin
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Bee Koon
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.affiliation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Shoo Thien
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kar Hau
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: FrieslandCampina Development Centre AMEA, The Rutherford, Singapore.
authors.forename: Marjolijn C E
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bragt
authors.affiliation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia rzt@ukm.edu.my.
authors.forename: Ruzita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abd Talib
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy
keywords: Malaysia; children; dietary guidelines; dietary pattern; food groups