Fruit and vegetable consumption behaviour among adults In Selangor, Malaysia
Fruits and vegetables are consumed to keep one stays healthy, happy, and productive. Fruits and vegetables are consumed as these foods have low energy density and are the sources of micronutrient, fibres, and other components of functional properties. There are many benefits of consuming fruits a...
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Main Author: | |
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Format: | Thesis |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2016
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/69445/1/FSTM%202016%2016%20-%20IR.pdf |
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Summary: | Fruits and vegetables are consumed to keep one stays healthy, happy, and productive.
Fruits and vegetables are consumed as these foods have low energy density and are the
sources of micronutrient, fibres, and other components of functional properties. There
are many benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. However, in reality, Malaysian
adults still lacking of knowledge regarding the benefits of fruits and vegetables. In this
case, the main issues identified among adults include knowledge gap and negative
perceptions of consuming fruits and vegetables. These problems may affect their health
condition and the causes to certain diseases. Over the past few decades, health cases
have increased in many developing countries including Malaysia; a country with lack
of data about fruits and vegetables consumption. Latest findings in 2007 found that
Malaysians are not consuming enough fruits and vegetables in comparison to the level
of global recommendation. Therefore, before measuring the amount of fruits and
vegetables consumed by adults, recognising the factors influencing the consumption
behaviour are crucial.
This research discovers the factors affecting fruits and vegetables consumption such as
personal, behavioural, and environmental among adults population in the state of
Selangor. These factors must be investigated to increase the fruits and vegetables
consumption in Malaysia. The studies in this field are limited in Malaysia and mainly
focus on quantitative method. The study aims to narrow down the gap by identifying
the factors influencing the fruits and vegetables consumption from the view of
behavioural study
This study is designed to meet three proposed objectives namely to investigate the
factors influencing fruits and vegetables consumption among adults in Selangor, to
examine the consumption behaviour of fruits and vegetables among adults in Selangor,
and to understand the barriers of fruits and vegetables consumption among adults in
Selangor. This study adopts qualitative approach using focus group discussion and indepth
interview with the Malay, Chinese, and Indian adults. 27 respondents were
recruited in three different focus group discussion consisting of Malay, Chinese, and
Indian adults. Meanwhile, there were also another 27 different respondents participated
in an in-depth interview. The age range of respondents were between 18 to 59 years old. Data were analysed using constant comparative method. The research findings
identified that the personal factors were discourage by taste, effect of personal appetite,
knowledge, routine and continued good eating habits, self-health condition, and
personal beliefs. Meanwhile, the behavioural factors include age, marital status, and
beliefs which were closely related to the consumption of fruits and vegetables. For
environmental factors, social influence and the physical conditions of fruits and
vegetables were discovered. Sub-themes found include several tips or which the Malay
communities refer them as ‘petua’ from old folks and friends, as well as the
availability, season, quality, price, and the convenience of fruits and vegetables. Other
than that, the findings include the present practice of consumption pattern, the
influence of beliefs of fruits and vegetables among adults, as well as using fruits and
vegetables in cooking. Next, existence barriers to consume fruits and vegetables were
identified namely personal perception known as discourage to consume by taste, health
issues and limitations, and time constrain in preparing fruits and vegetables. It was also
identified that it has become a challenge for national fruits and vegetables marketers to
sustain the foods’ availability, quality including freshness, convenience, technology,
price, and honesty.
Finally, this study calls for an improvement for national health authorities in Malaysia
to bridge the knowledge gap among adults in Selangor, Malaysia. In conclusion, this
research provides a crucial information to the health authorities, fruits and vegetables
marketers, as well as contribute to the body of knowledge. |
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