Does Awareness of Malaysian Healthy Plate Associate with Adequate Fruit and Vegetable Intake among Malaysian Adults with Non-Communicable Diseases?

Abstract

The healthy eating plate concept has been introduced in many countries, including Malaysia, as a visual guide for the public to eat healthily. The relationship between Malaysian Healthy Plate (MHP) and adequate fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among morbid Malaysian adults is unknown. Hence, we investigated the relationship between awareness of the MHP and FV intake among morbid Malaysian adults. National survey data on 9760 morbid Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above were analyzed. The relationship between awareness of MHP and FV intake among Malaysian adults with obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were determined using multivariable logistic regression controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle risk factors. Our data demonstrated that MHP awareness is associated with adequate FV intake among the Malaysian adults with abdominal obesity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-3.29), diabetes mellitus (aOR: 4.88, 95% CI: 2.13-22.18), hypertension (aOR: 4.39, 95% CI: 1.96-9.83), and hypercholesterolemia (aOR: 4.16, 95% CI: 1.48-11.72). Our findings indicated the necessity for ongoing efforts by policymakers, healthcare professionals, and nutrition educators to promote the concept of MHP and ensure that morbid Malaysian adults consume a sufficient intake of FV or adopt a healthy eating pattern to achieve and maintain optimal health.