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Promoting Vegetable Consumption among Malaysian Young Children: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

  • Intan Farahana Abdul Rani
  • Mazlina Che Mustafa
  • Jamilah Mohd Basir
  • Nadia Shahira Amiruddin
  • -
  • Sep 30, 2025
  • Food Security

Promoting Vegetable Consumption among Malaysian Young Children: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

Intan Farahana Abdul Rani*, Mazlina Che Mustafa, Jamilah Mohd Basir, Nadia Shahira Amiruddin

Faculty of Human Development Sultan Idris Education University

*Corresponding Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.9010179

Received: 23 August 2025; Accepted: 28 August 2025; Published: 30 September 2025

ABSTRACT

Vegetable consumption is a critical component of children’s nutrition, yet young children in Malaysia often fail to meet recommended intake levels. This paper explores the barriers and potential strategies for improving vegetable consumption among Malaysian preschool children through a socio-ecological perspective. Factors influencing intake are multi-dimensional, ranging from biological and behavioural traits of children, parental feeding practices, and home environments, to wider community influences, economic constraints, and existing government policies. Food neophobia, parental modelling, limited school-based nutrition education, and the lack of targeted interventions further exacerbate the problem. Addressing these barriers requires integrated strategies involving parents, teachers, and policymakers to create consistent and supportive nutrition environments both at home and in early childhood education settings. The paper highlights research gaps and emphasizes the need for evidence-based, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate interventions to foster positive attitudes toward vegetables. By adopting a holistic socio-ecological approach, this study aims to inform policy, strengthen educational practices, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable healthy eating habits among young children in Malaysia.

Keywords— early childhood nutrition, food preference, vegetable consumption, parental influence.

early childhood nutrition, food preference, vegetable consumption, parental influence.

Promoting Vegetable Consumption among Malaysian Young Children: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

Intan Farahana Abdul Rani*, Mazlina Che Mustafa, Jamilah Mohd Basir, Nadia Shahira Amiruddin

Faculty of Human Development Sultan Idris Education University

*Corresponding Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.9010179

Received: 23 August 2025; Accepted: 28 August 2025; Published: 30 September 2025

ABSTRACT

Vegetable consumption is a critical component of children’s nutrition, yet young children in Malaysia often fail to meet recommended intake levels. This paper explores the barriers and potential strategies for improving vegetable consumption among Malaysian preschool children through a socio-ecological perspective. Factors influencing intake are multi-dimensional, ranging from biological and behavioural traits of children, parental feeding practices, and home environments, to wider community influences, economic constraints, and existing government policies. Food neophobia, parental modelling, limited school-based nutrition education, and the lack of targeted interventions further exacerbate the problem. Addressing these barriers requires integrated strategies involving parents, teachers, and policymakers to create consistent and supportive nutrition environments both at home and in early childhood education settings. The paper highlights research gaps and emphasizes the need for evidence-based, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate interventions to foster positive attitudes toward vegetables. By adopting a holistic socio-ecological approach, this study aims to inform policy, strengthen educational practices, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable healthy eating habits among young children in Malaysia.

Keywords— early childhood nutrition, food preference, vegetable consumption, parental influence.

Promoting Vegetable Consumption among Malaysian Young Children: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

Intan Farahana Abdul Rani*, Mazlina Che Mustafa, Jamilah Mohd Basir, Nadia Shahira Amiruddin

Faculty of Human Development Sultan Idris Education University

*Corresponding Author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.9010179

Received: 23 August 2025; Accepted: 28 August 2025; Published: 30 September 2025

ABSTRACT

Vegetable consumption is a critical component of children’s nutrition, yet young children in Malaysia often fail to meet recommended intake levels. This paper explores the barriers and potential strategies for improving vegetable consumption among Malaysian preschool children through a socio-ecological perspective. Factors influencing intake are multi-dimensional, ranging from biological and behavioural traits of children, parental feeding practices, and home environments, to wider community influences, economic constraints, and existing government policies. Food neophobia, parental modelling, limited school-based nutrition education, and the lack of targeted interventions further exacerbate the problem. Addressing these barriers requires integrated strategies involving parents, teachers, and policymakers to create consistent and supportive nutrition environments both at home and in early childhood education settings. The paper highlights research gaps and emphasizes the need for evidence-based, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate interventions to foster positive attitudes toward vegetables. By adopting a holistic socio-ecological approach, this study aims to inform policy, strengthen educational practices, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable healthy eating habits among young children in Malaysia.

Keywords— early childhood nutrition, food preference, vegetable consumption, parental influence.

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