FOOD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOUR: A CASE STUDY AMONG FARMERS IN RURAL AREA KEDAH, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Food consumption is one of the most important components in ensuring household food security. However, there are practices and beliefs that some foods are detrimental to health among low-income people, which affects food consumption in the household. The goal of this research is to look into the eating habits of farmers in the countryside of Kedah State, Malaysian. Agricultural Kedah State, including the districts of Kubang Pasu, Baling, Delay or prevent, Alor Setar, and Kuala Muda, is the focus of this research. Utilizing stratified random sampling, 225 rice growers from the rural areas of the chosen districts were chosen. Utilizing SPSS 25 and the findings of the food intake analysis, the information was analyzed. The results of the study revealed that food consumption among farmers was low with a value of less than 29.9. Almost the total food intake for each food category is low except for beverages that have a high value of above 80. The study also found that this group believes that some foods have an impact on health. The study suggests that the government should sensitize the rural population in particular to eat balanced foods. At the same time, the restructuring of the primary school curriculum and syllabus needs to be holistic so that awareness of nutrition and health can be raised in early childhood education.