Fruit and Vegetable Intake Patterns and Their Associations with Sociodemographic Characteristics, Anthropometric Status and Nutrient Intake Profiles among Malaysian Children Aged 1-6 Years.
This study aimed to assess fruit and vegetable intake patterns and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric status and nutrient intake profiles among Malaysian children aged 1-6 years. Using the Malaysian dataset of South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS Malaysia), a total of 1307 children aged 1-6 years with complete datasets were included in this analysis. Dietary intake was assessed using age-specific, validated food frequency questionnaires. On average, Malaysian children consumed 0.91 and 1.07 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, respectively. Less than one-fifth of the children achieved the daily recommended servings of fruits (11.7%) and vegetables (15.8%). Fruit intake was associated with age, parental educational level and geographical region, and vegetable intake was associated with ethnicity and geographical region. There was little evidence of an association between fruit and vegetable intake and children's anthropometric status, but an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables contributed significantly and differently to children's micronutrient intake. Future nutrition interventions should focus on addressing the sociodemographic determinants and be tailored to the needs of the low consumers to more effectively promote and encourage the adequate intake of fruit and vegetables among young children.
['Chong|Kar Hau|KH|', 'Lee|Shoo Thien|ST|', 'Ng|Swee Ai|SA|', 'Khouw|Ilse|I|', 'Poh|Bee Koon|BK|']
D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D004032:Diet D004034:Diet Surveys D005247:Feeding Behavior D005260:Female D005638:Fruit D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D008296:Malaysia D008297:Male D009752:Nutritional Status D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D014675:Vegetables
vegetable intake anthropometric status nutrient intake fruit intake sociodemographic determinants young children