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This research aims to identify malnutrition risk and perception of malnourished and at-risk elderly individuals on their dietary practices.

In Phase 1, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above in agricultural settlements in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF). In Phase 2, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted among 21 elderly individuals identified in Phase 1. The interviews ceased when data saturation was achieved.

25.7 per cent (n = 106) of elderly individuals were identified as malnourished and at-risk (MNA-SF score = <12). Age, smoking, income and living status were significantly associated with malnutrition risk (p < 0.05). Thematic analysis revealed four themes that represent elderly individuals’ perception on their dietary practices: the impact of aging on dietary intake; food restriction according to health condition; poor dietary intake due to feeling of loneliness; and perceived benefits of foods for health.

Strategies from multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to eliminate improper dietary practice are required for the maintenance of health, functional independence and quality of life among the elderly.

This research is at the forefront in reporting the elderly individuals’ perception on dietary practice in agricultural settlement. Attention to individual’s health issues and the associated factors that may influence their dietary practices is essential to provide appropriate interventions to achieve optimum nutritional status and healthy aging.

This paper aims to identify and explore the factors affecting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients' adherence to lifestyle change recommendations, with the guidance of the trans-theoretical model (stages of change).

This study was conducted in two parts. In Part A, 163 randomly selected participants were asked to complete a cross-sectional survey. Data regarding demographics, stages of change and levels of confidence to engage in lifestyle changes were collected. In Part B, in-depth interviews were conducted among 30 individuals, aged between 30 and 65 years, had been diagnosed with T2DM and had seen dietitian at least once. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants with different sociodemographic characteristics.

Part A showed that most of the participants were in the pre-action group (60%), with a higher mean HbA1c (8.9%) as compared to the action group (40%) which had a mean HbA1c of 6.9%. Part B further revealed the pre-action group and action group identified four key themes concerning lifestyle changes adherence: stumbling block; self-care belief; knowledge implementation; and self-empowerment.

Health-care providers should identify patients' stages of change before lifestyle changes implementation.

This study highlighted that many factors might influence a T2DM patient's adherence to lifestyle change recommendations. Determining the stages of change and self-confidence of T2DM patients is needed to ascertain long-term adherence.

This study aims to investigate dietary intake among elderly living in agricultural settlements in comparison with a recent nutritional recommendation.

This cross-sectional study was carried out among elderly living in five agricultural settlements in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Participants were interviewed on socio-demographic information such as age, gender, marital status, smoking status, household income, education level and living status. Data on individual dietary intake were obtained through diet history method. Dietary intake data were analyzed using Nutritionist Pro software and compared to the recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for Malaysia version 2017. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 21.

A total of 413 participants (male 32.4 per cent and female 67.6 per cent) with the mean age of 69.4 ± 7.9 years participated in this study. Dietary intake results demonstrated that participants did not meet the Malaysian RNI for energy and most nutrients (p < 0.05). This study also found that energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, folate and iron intake were significantly higher in male than female (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, calcium and vitamin A intake were significantly higher in female than male (p < 0.05).

Integrated nutrition education and health promotion programme with a multidisciplinary approach are essential to be designed and executed to improve dietary intake of the elderly, which can further lead to appropriate dietary practices and knowledge improvement related to healthy food choices. Factors associated with inadequate dietary intake and awareness on the importance of adequate nutrients intake among the elderly warrant further investigation.

This research is at the forefront, which indicated that the dietary intake of elderly individuals living in the agricultural settlement was inadequate in comparison to the latest recommendation. Strategies to improve their intakes need to be developed and implemented accordingly to improve nutritional status and prevent adverse effects to health.