Fish consumption pattern among adults of different ethnics in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding different patterns of fish consumption is an important component for risk assessment of contaminants in fish. A few studies on food consumption had been conducted in Malaysia, but none of them focused specifically on fish consumption. The objectives of this study were to document the meal pattern among three major ethnics in Malaysia with respect to fish/seafood consumption, identify most frequently consumed fish and cooking method, and examine the influence of demographic factors on pattern of fish consumption among study subjects.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 2008 and May 2009 to investigate patterns of fish consumption among Malaysian adults in Peninsular Malaysia. Adults aged 18 years and above were randomly selected and fish consumption data were collected using a 3-day prospective food diary.ResultsA total of 2,675 subjects, comprising male (44.2%) and female (55.7%) participants from major ethnics (Malays, 76.9%; Chinese, 14.7%; Indians, 8.3%) with a mean age of 43.4±16.2 years, were involved in this study. The results revealed 10 most frequently consumed marine fish in descending order: Indian mackerel, anchovy, yellowtail and yellow-stripe scads, tuna, sardines, torpedo scad, Indian and short-fin scads, pomfret, red snapper, and king mackerel. Prawn and squid were also among the most preferred seafood by study subjects. The most frequently consumed freshwater fish were freshwater catfish and snakehead. The most preferred cooking style by Malaysians was deep-fried fish, followed by fish cooked in thick and/or thin chili gravy, fish curry, and fish cooked with coconut milk mixed with other spices and flavorings. Overall, Malaysians consumed 168 g/day fish, with Malay ethnics’ (175±143 g/day) consumption of fish significantly (p<0.001) higher compared with the other two ethnic groups (Chinese=152±133 g/day, Indians=136±141 g/day).ConclusionFish consumption was significantly associated with ethnicity, age, marital status, residential area, and years of education of adults in Peninsular Malaysia, and the data collected are beneficial for the purpose of health risk assessment on the intake of contaminants through fish/seafood consumption.

Ethnic differences on cardiovascular disease risk and quality of life in Selangor

“…A study showed Malays possessed highest fish intake as compared to other ethnics. This finding was in line with the study that Malaysians consumed 168 g/day fish, with Malays' consumption of fish (175±143 g/day) significantly (p < 0.001) higher compared with the other two ethnic groups (Chinese = 152±133 g/day, Indians = 136±141 g/day) (Ahmad et al, 2016).…”

Ethnic variation in osteoporosis risk factors: dietary calcium, vitamin D intake and body mass index (BMI)

“…The low calcium intake of Indian respondents was mainly due to less calcium-rich food consumption such as milk, dairy products and also fish, as reported in their three days food record. Moreover, the survey found that consumption of fish among Malays was significantly higher compared with the Chinese and Indian ethnic groups (Ahmad et al, 2016). Hence, based on supporting findings from the previous study, it can still be concluded that Indians might not consume an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D compared with other major ethnicities in Malaysia.…”

“…Thus, even though Table 4 shows that significant ethnic differences in vitamin D intake (p< 0.05), these differences actually without association with their ethnicity. A previous study found that fish consumption patterns were significantly associated with ethnicity (Ahmad et al, 2016). Therefore, the differences in vitamin D intake among respondents might be due to the difference in fish consumption pattern.…”

Early introduction of allergenic foods for the prevention of food allergy from an Asian perspective—An Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respirology & Immunology (APAPARI) consensus statement

“…A study on infant weaning practices found that infants in Vietnam and China were introduced to solid foods earlier than Australian infants and that rice porridge and cereal were used as the infants’ first foods in most Asia‐Pacific countries although it is still unclear whether these differences contribute to food allergy risk . The average shellfish consumption in Malaysian adults was around 100 g/person per day, which is much higher than reported in US adults (22 g/person per day) although there is currently no clear evidence linking volume of shellfish allergen consumption to the development of shellfish allergy.…”